PUTRAJAYA: Any issue with neighbouring countries including Singapore should be resolved via diplomatic channel, which has proved to be effective in many matters in the past.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said issues could not be discussed through “perang mulut (war of words)” by the country’s top leadership as it would only worsen the situation and the friction between the two countries.
He said this in response to Johor PKR chairman Hassan Abdul Karim’s statement voicing his disappointment over the “silence” by the leaders at federal and state levels who, he claimed, did not come to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian’s defence after the Menteri Besar was accused of encroaching Singapore waters.
Saifuddin, who is also the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, said Hassan had been given the opportunity to give his views, but declined to say whether he agreed or disagreed with such views.
“Singapore is our nearest neighbour. We have our ups and downs over several issues which involve the two countries from air space to maritime boundaries.
“I believe the diplomatic channel is the best way for us to address the issues at hand and this is the channel that my colleague Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah is using and he as well as Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali have met their Singaporean counterparts recently.
“In the past, several issues have been resolved, although sometimes they take longer time. It is not about which side will benefit the most. And, by making an open statement, it will not resolve thing as compared to going through discussions,” he told reporters after witnessing the handing of duties of the ministry’s secretary-general today.
Johor PKR on Tuesday had expressed its disappointment with Federal and state leaders who it believed did not stand up to defend the Johor Menteri Besar who was accused of having illegally entered Singapore waters.
Hassan was quoted as saying he was dismayed at the silence by the Federal government, including the prime minister, foreign minister and defence minister over the issue.
Hassan, who is also Pasir Gudang member of parliament, said the Johor government leaders were also silent, leaving Osman to defend himself.
Osman, on Jan 8, had made a visit to the Marine Department’s vessel MV Pedoman.
A Singapore news report said the vessel carrying Osman had encroached into Singapore waters which Osman refuted.
Singapore subsequently sent a diplomatic note to Malaysia to protest the visit, and labeled it a “provocative act.”
As a result, the scheduled 14th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) was postponed.