PUTRAJAYA is still in talks with Singapore to resolve a row over airspace and maritime boundaries the two neighbours are currently embroiled in, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. 

“The important thing is that Singapore agreed to a negotiation. So, until we finish with our negotiations, we cannot give our final answer (on the issue),” he said in Petaling Jaya after chairing the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting. 

“Lots of people announce their borders off and on. That causes a lot of disputes. We will settle the dispute based on legal provisions and our rights,” he added. 

On Tuesday, Singapore lodged a “strong protest” with Putrajaya for changing the limits of a port in Johor. The republic said Malaysia had extended the port limits significantly eastward beyond the territorial sea that Malaysia claimed and published in a 1979 map.

Singapore urged Malaysia to stop further unilateral action and to amend the government gazette notification published in late October “to reflect the sovereignty of Singapore over the waters in question”.

Singapore’s Transport Ministry also said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Department vessels had repeatedly intruded into Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas in the past two weeks.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad denied that Malaysia had touched Singapore’s border.

On Friday, Singapore’s Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said Singapore was extending it port limits off Tuas and would “not hesitate to take firm action” against intrusions to protect its territory and sovereignty. –December 8, 2018.