Malaysia and Singapore will continue negotiations on longstanding issues related to airspace, maritime boundaries, and water supply, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the Perdana Putra Complex on Tuesday (Jan 7), Anwar stated that technical teams from both countries would engage in detailed discussions to address the parameters of these issues.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised the importance of these bilateral matters, adding that both sides are committed to addressing them holistically and constructively, within the broader context of their strong relationship.
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Speaking at a joint press conference at the Perdana Putra Complex on Tuesday (Jan 7), Anwar stated that technical teams from both countries would engage in detailed discussions to address the parameters of these issues.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised the importance of these bilateral matters, adding that both sides are committed to addressing them holistically and constructively, within the broader context of their strong relationship.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/2zje46am
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
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NewsTranscript
00:00We discussed a number of issues, including some concerns about maritime cooperation,
00:07which has been there for some time, but at least there is clear commitment and progress.
00:13Similarly, with this water discussion, we are reopening the discussions,
00:18and the technical team will discuss the parameters.
00:23We explored the suggestion, particularly by the Sarawak government,
00:30on the export of energy using the undersea cable through Semenanjung to Singapore,
00:39or alternatively, other measures which would require the understanding of our neighbors.
00:47We also discussed the issue of flight information region, FIR,
00:53recognizing the needs of Malaysia in terms of its connectivity with Sabah-Sarawak,
01:00but at the same time, the requirements of Singapore
01:03to ensure that the performance and activities in Changi and Selangor is unaffected and facilitated.
01:14Both PM Anwar and I have also discussed outstanding bilateral issues,
01:19which he mentioned just now, including on airspace, water, and maritime delimitation.
01:26These are all important issues for both our countries.
01:30We will continue to discuss these issues holistically and constructively
01:35within the overall context of our broader relationship.
01:40The issues are complex.
01:42We have made some progress, but we still need more time to resolve them.
01:46But we will continue to engage in good faith and as good neighbors,
01:50and I am confident that working together, we can develop durable outcomes
01:55on all of these issues with a balance of benefit on both sides.
02:00Good morning. Chin Su Fan from The Straits Times.
02:03Both Prime Ministers mentioned that there were discussions on several bilateral issues.
02:09Can we find out more on the status of some of these issues,
02:13like maritime delimitation, water and airspace,
02:16and what are the challenges to a faster resolution of these issues on both sides? Thank you.
02:24These are long-standing issues, and they are complex in nature.
02:31Since I visited last year at the introductory visit,
02:37both Prime Minister Anwar and I have asked the officials to meet.
02:41They have done so across all of these issues on maritime boundaries,
02:45on water and on airspace.
02:48They have had good discussions.
02:50Some progress has been made, but we are not ready to resolve all of them yet
02:55because they are complex.
02:57And while we would like the resolution to be expeditious,
03:00I think it is also important that we give time for the officials to meet,
03:05talk to one another, understand each other's positions,
03:09and come up with an agreement and an outcome that is durable
03:13and that is beneficial for both sides.
03:16And both the Prime Minister Anwar and I are fully committed to doing so,
03:21to having good-faith conversations and discussions in a manner that is constructive,
03:27that will discuss the issues holistically,
03:30and make sure that these outstanding matters do not ever detract
03:35from our overall relationship.
03:38That is why we are still able to move forward on positive win-win projects
03:42like the SEZ and the RTS.
03:45So we do not want these issues, even if there are differences of views,
03:50to detract from the positive projects that we can do together.
03:54But where these issues are concerned,
03:56we are fully committed to discussing them constructively, holistically,
04:00and I am confident that in time to come,
04:03we can achieve durable and mutually beneficial outcomes across all of them.
04:10Yes, these are complex issues and our position is, of course,
04:16as Prime Minister Lawrence has said, to deal with it holistically
04:22or in a comprehensive manner,
04:24so that you see that some areas which are demanded by Singapore
04:32and some demanded by Malaysia should be fully considered
04:35and the final settlement should be a win-win position.
04:41But this has not in any way, and I agree,
04:47not only detracted but frustrated any of our positive attitude,
04:54position on the fundamentals, economic or energy or digital or investments and trade.
05:02And to me, this has to continue and we can expand this further
05:09because these negotiations have been going on for the last few decades.
05:13So I don't think we should wait for the few decades to come.
05:17We can always do it, not necessarily in the next annual retreat.
05:22We agree that this quarterly basis, we should have a form of short meeting to review this
05:31and in that manner, compel our technical team, experts to deal with it expeditiously.