PUTRAJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah will meet Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian soon regarding the allegation that the vessel which Osman was in had encroached into Singapore’s territorial waters in Tuas last Wednesday.
Saifuddin said the meeting was crucial as many issues involving Malaysia and Singapore involved Johor.
“The meeting is being arranged. I will meet him (Osman) as soon as possible,” he said after announcing the appointment of Eric Paulsen as Malaysia’s representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights for the 2019-2021 term.
Singapore was reported to have sent a protest note to Malaysia on Friday over what it described as a “provocative act” by Osman, following the Johor MB’s visit to a Malaysian government vessel on Jan 8.
It was reported that this was the reason why Singapore had called off a joint ministerial committee meeting for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM), which was scheduled for today.
Wisma Putra issued a statement on Sunday stating that Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali would still meet his counterpart, Singapore’s National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, and Singapore’s Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to discuss bilateral issues.
On Friday, Osman denied that he had entered Singapore waters.
He said the ship was in Malaysian waters and that the team tasked with handling the vessel was familiar with the maritime boundary.
Saifuddin said Malaysia understood the reason given by Singapore to postpone the JMCIM meeting and that a new date for the meeting would be decided later.
“I want to stress that we understand the reason given for the postponement.
“What is important is Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin is still meeting his Singapore counterpart to discuss other matters, which also depicts the good ties between the two nations and is a positive development after my meeting with Vivian on Jan 8.
“Many of the issues between Malaysia and Singapore should be viewed from a wider perspective,” he added.
Saifuddin said Wisma Putra and other Malaysian government agencies held meetings with their counterparts in the island republic because ties with Singapore not only involved Wisma Putra and Johor, but also the Transport Ministry and Marine Department.
“It is usual for inter-agency meetings to be held, which will see the attendance of senior officers.
“But, such meetings are not made public.
“This is the same with meetings taking place between officers from the Malaysian and Singaporean Foreign Ministries. It is a continuous process,” he said.