MFA Spokesman's Comments on Former Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Comments on Bilateral Relations

In response to media queries on former Malaysian PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's comments that Singapore "is getting bolder now that they could even threaten us", which appeared in Utusan Malaysia on 6 November 2005, the MFA Spokesman said:

"Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo said he was surprised and dismayed to hear that former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had interpreted his response to supplementary questions in Parliament as a "threat".

In Parliament on 17 October 2005, Member of Parliament Ms Irene Ng had asked Minister Yeo what the implications would be should Malaysia unilaterally decide to build a 'half-bridge' to replace its side of the Causeway. Minister Yeo had replied that the implications of building a half-bridge, without Singapore's consent, would be "serious". Minister Yeo explained that Malaysia's decision to construct a half-bridge had to comply with the principles enunciated in the Order issued by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on 8 October 2003. Any action also had to be fully consistent with the requirements of international law governing such matters. International facilities, such as the Causeway, could not be lawfully demolished without the approval, agreement and involvement of both States concerned.

The ITLOS proceedings were initiated by Malaysia in June 2003 on Singapore's land reclamation works in and around the Straits of Johor. ITLOS did not order Singapore to stop these works, but in the course of the hearings, recognising that Malaysia and Singapore shared the same marine environment in and around the Straits of Johor, ITLOS ruled that any work which might impact the environment of a neighbouring state required the country to carry out proper studies and consultations with the affected country first. Since October 2003 Singapore has reminded Malaysia of its obligations under ITLOS through several Third Party Notes (TPNs).
Minister Yeo's point about the implications of building a half-bridge without Singapore's agreement was not a "threat". It was to highlight the serious legal implications which such a move would have under ITLOS."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 NOVEMBER 2005