Conflicts between Singapore

and Malaysia
Basis of conflicts
Singapores 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: Singapores
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: Malaysias
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 Singapores ports
Restricts the flow of water through
the Straits
Land Reclamation: Malaysias
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: Malaysias 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: Malaysias 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: Singapores Stand
Malaysias 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: Singapores 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: Singapores 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
Bibliography
http://www.ecologyasia.com/news-archives/2003/jun-
03/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