PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today played down the ongoing airspace and maritime boundary disputes with Singapore by saying that differences will only “help us grow even faster”.

Likening the two neighbouring nations to twins, Dr Mahathir said that “the elder twin is a little bit bigger than the younger one”.

“As with most countries, there will be differences and competition between us. However, it will help us grow even faster,” he said in a Facebook post.

He thanked Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for being a warm and gracious host during the Asean summit last month.

Over the past few days, ties between the two neighbours have been tested over disputes involving airspace and maritime boundaries.

Yesterday, Wisma Putra sent two protest notes to Singapore pertaining to the disputes in which the two countries are engaged.

The first note objects to Singapore’s use of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and ILS Approach Procedures for Seletar Airport, which Putrajaya says infringe on Malaysia’s sovereignty as they affect developments and shipping operations in Johor’s Pasir Gudang port.

The second protest note concerns the maritime boundary dispute between Malaysia and Singapore, including the new Johor Baru port limits and recent incidents of alleged encroachment.

The ministry said that the government “categorically rejects” Singapore’s allegations that the move to extend the Johor Bahru port limits “has resulted in the encroachment of the port limits in Singapore’s territorial waters off Tuas, or that it is a violation of Singapore’s sovereignty and international law”.

“The government of Malaysia affirms that the new Johor Baru port limits are within Malaysia’s territorial sea.

“Further, it is well within the government of Malaysia’s right to draw any port limit in its territorial sea in accordance with Malaysia’s own national laws.

“As such, the government of Malaysia refutes the view that Malaysia’s government vessels had intruded into Singapore territorial waters off Tuas,” said the Foreign Ministry press release.

Singapore responded by saying discussions of airspace and Johor Baru port limit issues should emphasise the importance of maintaining a good bilateral relationship and compliance with international law.

Singapore Foreign Affairs Ministry said its minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, who earlier spoke with his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah via telephone today, referred to the discussions on airspace issues between Singaporean Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, as well as the latter’s public comments on the issue.

The statement said Balakrishnan emphasised that Singapore respected Malaysia’s sovereignty. – December 6, 2018.