SINGAPORE’s Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing is the latest to weigh in on the maritime boundary dispute with Malaysia, warning of the risk of accidents and further “escalation” given the close proximity of vessels of both countries in disputed waters, Chanel NewsAsia reports.

“We urge all parties to revert to the pre-October 25 status quo ante for things to come down. And there are ways to do this under international law without prejudice to Malaysia,” Chan was quoted as saying in a media conference.

October 25 was the day Malaysia extended the boundaries of the Johor Baru Port.

Chan said the “risk of escalation cannot be underestimated” as ships from both countries were in close proximity with one another “and we know that some ships are armed”.

Calling on the two nations to hold talks, he said Singapore was open to an “appropriate international third-party dispute settlement procedure”.

Singapore on Tuesday had lodged a protest over the changing of Johor Baru port’s limits, saying Malaysia had extended the limits eastward beyond its territorial sea claim in a 1979 map.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah had suggested that both nations steer clear of the disputed area pending talks on the issue

But the Singapore Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday said it disagreed with the suggestion that it “cease and desist” sending vessels to the disputed waters.

Singapore’s Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday announced the city state had  extended its port limits off Tuas in response to the “provocative developments”.

Khaw warned of firm action against intrusions by Malaysian government vessels in its waters.

He also accused Malaysia of “repeatedly intruding” into the republic’s territorial waters off Tuas in the past two weeks, saying there had been 14 intrusions by government vessels.

Trade minister Chan was reported as saying that he hoped the younger Malaysian leaders in the new Pakatan Harapan government who had had signalled closer cooperation between the two countries  would “match” their actions with their words.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has dismissed Singapore’s claims of encroachment in the extension of the Johor Baru port’s limits, saying they were well within Malaysia waters.

In a statement on Wednesday, Loke said Singapore’s claim was “inaccurate” and highlighted the republic’s “extensive land reclamation” in the area.

“Singapore has in recent years carried out extensive land reclamation in the area in question. It is trite law that land reclamation does not extend a state’s basepoints and/or baselines,” Loke said. – December 8, 2018.