High
Commission replies to Utusan Malaysia commentary
Business
Times (Singapore) March 28, 2000.
Point-by-point response on Clob, CIQ, water
issues. The Singapore government has issued a point-by-point reply to a
commentary in Utusan Malaysia which had urged the Malaysian government
to issue an ultimatum to Singapore.
THE commentary by Gamal Nasir Mohammed Ali had branded Singapore as a "brigand" with a hidden agenda, seeking to take advantage of Malaysia over issues such as Clob, the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) centre at Woodlands and water.
The Singapore High Commission yesterday sent a reply to Utusan, saying that the abang dan adik (elder and younger brother) attitude towards bilateral relations, as described by Mr Gamal, is "the crux of the problem".
Singapore's relations with Malaysia must be based on equality and mutual respect, the letter stressed. "The legal rights of the two parties, and legally binding agreements solemnly concluded by them, must be respected. Cooperation must be win-win; it cannot be unequal or deferential."
The reply by the Singapore High Commission dealt with the facts of the matter, without resorting to the emotive language used in the Utusan commentary. For example, it pointed out that the CIQ matter -- to move the railway station from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands -- was settled in the 1990 Points of Agreement signed by both countries, till Malaysia "suddenly changed its mind without giving any reasons" in 1997.
For Malaysia to insist on continuing its immigration functions at Tanjong Pagar is "without legal basis" and makes the sequence of clearance "illogical".
On Clob, it pointed out that it is common practice to refer bilateral disputes for arbitration in international courts. "How could Singapore possibly 'shame' Malaysia, if Malaysia was confident of its legal position?" it said.
It added: "Singapore is not trying to exploit Malaysia by buying water cheaply. But we hope to reach a new agreement on the supply of water to Singapore, as one of several bilateral issues to be resolved together."
Singapore continues to believe that both countries can benefit from a win-win solution of the outstanding issues, it reiterated.