SINGAPORE: Malaysia and Singapore have agreed for both sides to immediately and simultaneously suspend Malaysia’s permanent restricted area over Pasir Gudang and Singapore’s implementation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) procedure for Seletar Airport.
Both the suspensions are for a period of one month in the first instance, according to a joint statement issued after the bilateral meeting between Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and his Singapore counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan here yesterday.
The statement said they agreed that, in the meantime, the transport ministers of the two countries should meet soon for discussions on the restricted area and the ILS procedure to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation.
On maritime issues surrounding the Johor Bahru and Singapore port limits, the two ministers agreed to establish a working group headed by the permanent secretary of the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the secretary-general of the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.
The working group would study and discuss the legal and operational matters in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground, and provide a basis for further discussions and negotiations, said the statement. The working group is to report to the foreign ministers within two months, it said.
The implementation of the ILS at Seletar Airport in Singapore had aircrafts landing at the airport using Malaysian airspace over Pasir Gudang, Johor, which Malaysia objected to.
Singapore and Malaysia had also blamed each other for what either side insisted was the extension of port limits that were seen as a violation of sovereignty and international law.
At a joint press conference, Saifuddin said: “We had a very good meeting this morning… our officers too had a meeting… it was very cordial… very friendly.”
A four-eyed meeting between the two foreign ministers was held for about an hour yesterday morning followed by a delegation meeting.
“We have a long history of good relations and there is only one way to go forward… that is to become stronger in our ties and improve our relations,” said Saifuddin, adding that both sides were very pleased with the discussions.
“The measures that we agreed upon are positive and there are constructive steps towards calming the situation on the ground and we believe these will provide a constructive environment for both countries to find a mutually agreeable solution to our bilateral issues,” he said. – Bernama
