S’pore-M’sia territorial dispute: Timeline of events dating back to 1927 to present
By
Tressa Lars
Posted on December 8, 2018
Everything you need know – original maps and all.
The ongoing Singapore-Malaysia territorial waters dispute comes on the back of
14 intrusions by Malaysian goverment vessels into Singapore territory in recent weeks. Observer+ has summarised the key points, including the original maps that are being contested by both sides.
Key summary:
In 1979, Malaysia published a map charting their territorial boundaries – which Singapore never accepted. This was resolved in 1995 when Singapore and Malaysia agreed on a ‘precise’ demarcation of the territorial waters. The Johor Port Limits (JPL) at the time was within the 1979 and 1995 boundaries (with slight amendments in 1999). For the next two decades, no issues were raised.
On Oct 2018, Malaysia unilaterally expanded the JPL. The new limits extends into Singapore territorial waters, beyond what has been demarcated in Malaysia’s own 1979 map and the 1995 agreement between both countries.
Singapore’s stand:
- The new Johor Bahru Port Limits (JPL) now extends beyond Malaysia’s sea claim in their own 1979 map
- Continued intrusions on Singapore waters by Malaysian Government vessels ‘provocative’ despite diplomatic protests
- Urgent need for Malaysia cease instrusions as per compliance with international law and to escalating tensions on the ground
Malaysia’s stand:
- Malaysia rejects Singapore’s claim that their vessels intruded Singapore territorial waters
- The new Johor Bahru Port Limits are within Malaysia’s territorial sea, thus it is their right to draw any port limits within their area
Here’s a timeline of key events:
1927: United Kingdom (which ruled over Singapore) signed an agreement with the Sultanate of Johor to determine the border between Singapore and Johor along the straits of Johor.
The
treaty forms the basis of the current border agreement between Malaysia and Singapore which was signed in 1995.
Source: Survey office of Singapore (National Archives)
1979: Malaysia publishes map marking its territorial boundaries.
Malaysia’s Directorate of Mapping (now Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia a.k.a JUPEM) publishes a map marking its territorial boundaries, including its
claim on Pedra Branca (see the spot where the big arrow is pointing in the map below).
Singapore was not consulted in the charting of this map.
Here’s a closer look at the map, illustrated by MOT; the dotted brown lines denotes Malaysia’s claim:
The dotted brown line cuts through into Tuas South which was only built later in the 80s on reclaimed land.
1980: Singapore sends a protest note to Malaysia over its 1979 map.
Singapore expresses their concern with the “unilateral manner in which the territorial waters” of Malaysia were drawn, and requests that the map be amended to reflect Singapore’s sovereignty.
Malaysia maintains their boundary lines are correct.
1987: Malaysia publishes its Johor Bahru Port Limits (JPL).
Port limits define boundaries in which each country can conduct port activities. The limits are located within a country’s territorial waters.
1995: Singapore signs agreement with Malaysia to ‘precisely’ map out territorial water boundaries.
The 1995 agreement delineates the Singapore-Johor border in accordance to a
1927 agreement between the United Kingdom (then Singapore’s colonial ruler) and the state of Johor to determine the border between the island and Johor along the Straits of Johor.
Here’s a map from 1996:
American Society of International Law, 1996
1999: Malaysia made slight amendments to the JPL.
The JPL based on the 1979 boundary claims – save for slight amendments in 1997 (by Singapore) and 1999 (by Malaysia) – have remained intact for the next 20 years.
Oct 25, 2018: Malaysia extends Johor Bahru port limits “significantly” beyond their boundaries claimed in the 1979 map.
Malaysia’s Attorney General’s Chambers (MAGC) and the Marine Department Malaysia (MDM) first announced the new port limits in Johor Bahru on 25 October 2018, through a federal gazette*, “
Declaration of Alteration of Port Limits for Johore Bahru Port”.
*A government gazette is an official publication for the purpose of notifying the actions and decisions of the government.
The new port limits extends beyond the 1979 claimed boundaries by Malaysia – that Singapore never accepted – and intrudes into the area (see yellow area in map below) where Singapore has been exercising their jurisdiction (eg. police/navy patrols) for the past two decades without any protest from Malaysia.
Nov 30, 2018: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore issues a circular to mariners.
In response to Malaysia’s gazette, the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) wrote in
a circular to mariners that it “does not recognise the port limits…ship masters and owners of vessels should therefore disregard the Gazette Notification.”
Dec 4, 2018: Singapore sends protest note to the Malaysian government.
The note requests that Malaysia refrain from taking any further unilateral action and to amend the gazette notification “to reflect the sovereignty of Singapore over the waters in question”.
In a repeat of 1980 when Singapore protested the 1979 map and requested for amendments, Malaysia still maintains their territorial boundaries and port limits are correct.
Dec 5, 2018: Prime Minister Mahathir claims M’sia has not “touched” S’pore’s border.
According to Mahathir, Malaysia did not ‘intrude’ into Singapore’s territorial waters as the new Johor Baru port limits was within Malaysia’s territory.
Singapore’s transport ministry (MOT)
refutes Mahathir’s claim.
Dec 6, 2018: Singapore extends its port limits off Tuas based on 1979 map.
This is despite rejecting Malaysia’s territorial boundaries in the 1979 map.
Dec 7, 2018: Malaysia proposes both countries “cease and desist” from sending assets into “disputed area”. MOT rejects.
Singapore rejects the proposal; reiterates that Malaysian government vessels should leave its waters and for the Malaysian government to revert to the status quo that has been in placed before Oct 2018.
Singapore’s Minister of Transport, Khaw Boon Wan urged Singaporeans to stay united:
“While we seek cooperation and friendship with other countries, we must never let other countries take advantage of us. When our national interests are challenged, we have to quietly but firmly stand our ground and stay united as one people.”
– Transport Minister, Khaw Boon Wan
As of Dec 7, Malaysia’s government vessel Jabatan Laut (MV Polaris) is still within Singapore’s territorial waters. Interestingly, the vessel is positioned beyond the boundary claim by Malaysia in their 1979 map, and outside the Johor Port Limits.
Source:
Alex Yam / Image capture of the current maritime position of the Malaysian Jabatan Laut vessel MV Polaris as at 23:55hrs on 07 December 2018
Malaysia asserts that they are still within their territorial waters.
https://observer.news/featured/spor...ine-of-events-dating-back-to-1927-to-present/
In case you are interested in more maps or would like to do your own research, perhaps these will help:
1927 map |
1980 map |
1984 map |
1993 map |
1996 map |
1999 map |
2009 map