SINGAPORE has welcomed a bilateral meeting with Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali despite postponing an earlier joint ministerial meeting over the intrusion of a Malaysian vessel into disputed waters.

“Singapore welcomes Malaysia’s Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali’s initiative to make a bilateral visit and his upcoming meetings with our ministers on January 13-14,” the island republic’s Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement.

Azmin’s visit to Singapore comes on the heels of Singapore’s decision to postpone the 14th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia, which was originally scheduled for tomorrow.

The postponement was in response to a visit by Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian to the Malaysian Marine Department’s vessel Pendoman.

The Singapore Foreign Ministry said that Pendoman was anchored illegally in Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas.

“Such a provocative act went against the spirit of the agreement reached a day earlier by Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart, Saifuddin Abdullah, to resolve bilateral issues in a calm and constructive manner,” the statement said.

The intrusion by the Johor menteri besar, it said, created an atmosphere unconducive to hold the meeting, leading to Singapore’s decision to postpone it, which Malaysia had agreed to. 

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement this morning Azmin would lead a Malaysian delegation to Singapore and discuss other bilateral issues.

Azmin will meet Singapore’s National Development Minister Lawrence Wong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan during his visit.

“This demonstrates that ties between the two countries remain strong.

“The meeting will form the next positive step forward after the fruitful bilateral meeting held between the ministers of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and Singapore on January 8.

“Currently, both foreign ministers are in communication and agreed that both sides should remain calm and not sensationalise the matter,” the statement read.

Wisma Putra said it was also confident that the current upwards momentum of engagement between Malaysia and Singapore would continue.

It also reiterated its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Singapore based on equality and mutual respect. – January 13, 2019.