Conflicts between Singapore and Malaysia

Basis of conflicts

Singapore’s land reclamation in Tebrau Straits

Water Supply between Malaysia and Singapore

Proposed bridge linking Singapore and Malaysia

Use of Malaysian Airspace by Singaporean Aircraft

Land Reclamation: Background Information In 1990, the total land area of

Singapore was 633 square km. Increase of 51.5 square km(8.9% of

total present land area) from original land area.

With continuing land reclamation, land area in Singapore will increase by about another 100 square km by the year 2030.

Land Reclamation: Background Information Initiated by

Singapore to expand land mass

Good ties between Singapore and Malaysia previously

Case handled out of UN court

Handled via diplomacy

Land Reclamation: Singapore’s Stand

Land Reclamation being done within territorial waters, within rights

Increasing demand for land with rising population-housing, infrastructure, industries, commercial usage, etc

Increases the small size of the country

Land Reclamation: Malaysia’s Stand

Fears that the reclamation is being done too close to its border

Possibility of obstructing ships headed for ports in Southern State of Johor, which are being promoted to compete against Singapore’s ports

Restricts the flow of water through the Straits

Land Reclamation: Malaysia’s Stand

Environmental Impact Documented evidence that the

project is causing environmental damage, especially along the coast of Johor

Affects livelihood of Malaysian fishermen

Effect on maritime border

Land Reclamation: End of dispute "Malaysia referred the matter to the

International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which asked both sides to have independent experts study the impact of the reclamation."

In January 2005, both countries announced that they had reached agreement on a fair and balanced deal.

Land Reclamation: End of dispute Ended on April 26, 2005 Under the agreement, both

governments would carry out various mitigating measures

Under the recommendations of a group of independent experts (GOE) appointed by both governments to study the impact of Singapore's reclamation works

Land Reclamation: Results of study by experts

Out of 57 identified impacts on the marine environment, 40 were detectable only in computer models and not in the field

Remaining impacts classified as minor to moderate

RM 374,000 paid to about 60 fishermen affected by works

$300,000 paid by Singapore for added protection works at Tanjung Belungkor jetty

Consequences of conflict George Yeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs

(Singapore): “The civil and civilised manner in which we have been able to settle this dispute gives us confidence that our other bilateral disputes can be settled in the same way.”

Consequences of conflict

Syed Hamid, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Malaysia): “I consider this a milestone in Singapore-Malaysia relations”

Water Supply: History

Two water agreements(Tebrau and Scudai, Johor River) were signed in 1961 and 1962 respectively between Singapore and Malaysia.

The first one permits Singapore to draw 86 million gallons of water a day from the Pontian and Gunung Pulai Reservoirs., as well as the Tebrau and Skudai Rivers.

Expires in 2011

Water Supply: History

The 1962 agreement allows 250 million gallons of water per day to be drawn from the Johor River by Singapore.

Expires in 2061 However, Singapore can only draw a

total maximum of 250.4 million gallons per day.

Water Supply: History

Singapore pays 3 sen per 1000 gallons of water from Malaysia's rivers

Malaysia pays 50 sen per 1000 gallons of treated water from Singapore

Both agreements allow for price revision every 25 years and arbitration in case of disagreement

Malaysia did not revise prices in 1986-1987 as raising raw water price would mean treated water price would also rise.

Water Supply: Disagreements

Price of water Right to alter price of water

Water Supply: Malaysia’s Stand A fair price, a fair deal: 3 sen/1000 gallons

is ridiculous Malaysia agreed to 3 sen/1000 gallons to

aid the PAP in selling the merger proposal to Singaporean voters at 1961

Revise price of water upwards, eventually reaching 6.8 – 8 RM (Price that HK pays Guangdong), with inflation

Water Supply: Malaysia’s Stand

Willing to supply Singapore the water it needs, but uncomfortable with the supposed fact that Singapore is profiteering from resale of water

Singapore enjoys one of the highest standard of livings in Asia

Singapore can pay as much as 6.25RM/1000 gallons without charging users, and still make a profit

Water Supply: Singapore’s Stand

Malaysia’s fault that they agreed to 3 sen/1000 gallons in 1961, when the pact was drawn

Peg price of water to cost of producing NEWater

Singapore is not self-sufficient in terms of water-Singapore needs large amounts of water to feed large population

Water Supply: Singapore’s Stand

Water is critical for survival of Singapore as a nation

Malaysia intends to portray Singapore as selfish and unreasonable

An increase from 3 sen to 45 sen per 1000 gallons would be insignificant profit/loss to Singapore or Malaysia.

Water Supply: Singapore’s Stand

“The significance of the water price, to both countries, is Singapore's existence as a sovereign nation separate from Malaysia, and the sanctity of the most solemn agreements which Singapore and Malaysia have entered into." -Prof. S.Jayakumar

Water Supply: Consequences

Risk of damaging relationship with Malaysia

NEWater developed by Singapore Desalination plant developed by

Singapore

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straitstimes_030630_1.htm http://www.singapore-window.org/sw02/020311af.htm http://www.singapore-window.org/sw02/020317ns.htm http://au.news.yahoo.com/050426/3/p/u49q.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3177532.stm http://library.thinkquest.org/C006891/reclamation.html http://www.kln.gov.my/water.htm http://www.eldis.org/static/DOC14581.htm www.getforme.com/singaporemalaysiaupdates.htm www.mggpillai.com/article.php3?sid=2218 www.wsws.org/news/1998/aug1998/mal-a19.shtml www.singapore-window.org/sw99/90608afp.htm