Joint Press Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore: The First Meeting of the Working Group on Maritime Issues Surrounding the Johor Bahru Port Limits and Singapore Port Limits, 28 January 2019

On 28 January 2019, the Malaysia-Singapore Working Group established by the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore met in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The Working Group was tasked, in relation to maritime issues surrounding the Johor Bahru Port Limits and Singapore Port Limits, to study and discuss the legal and operational matters in order to de-escalate the situation on the ground and provide a basis for further discussions and negotiations.

The Malaysian and Singapore delegations were led respectively by Dato’ Sri Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, and Mr Chee Wee Kiong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore.

Based on the mandate given by the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore during their meeting on 8 January 2019, the two delegations had constructive discussions on a set of positive recommendations which will be submitted to the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore for their consideration when finalised.

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