PROPOSED BRIDGE ACROSS CAUSEWAY (Update)

PROPOSED BRIDGE ACROSS CAUSEWAY:

(Update): 1.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the talks with Malaysia regarding the proposed new bridge across the Causeway.

The Second Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, bilateral negotiations on Malaysia's proposal to construct a full straight bridge to replace the Causeway are ongoing. Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Yeo has clarified Singapore's position with regard to the full straight bridge in this House on several occasions, most recently on 2nd March 2006. Singapore's position remains unchanged. There are huge financial costs and no significant benefits for Singapore to construct the full straight bridge to replace the Causeway.

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However, in the spirit of good neighbourliness, Singapore is prepared to consider Malaysia's proposal to replace the Causeway with a full straight bridge if there is a balance of benefits for both sides.

Our senior officials have met five times to discuss the details of this balance of benefits. Although there have been many reports in the Malaysian media on the details of the ongoing bilateral negotiations, Singapore has adhered to the decision taken jointly by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi not to publicise the details of the ongoing negotiations. As such, I am unable to disclose any details of the discussions to this House. Suffice to say, our senior officials have had constructive discussions and they have made good progress. But there are a number of important related issues which both sides would need to discuss in further detail.

Singapore has been surprised by some of the remarks on the bridge issue and bilateral relations attributed to Malaysian politicians and leaders by the Malaysian media even as bilateral negotiations are still ongoing. For example, on 10th March 2006, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin bin Mohamed was reported to have said that Malaysia had "symbolically launched" construction works of the "scenic bridge" or half-bridge. On 11th March 2006, DPM Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak was reported in the Malaysian media as saying that Malaysia would proceed with the construction of the "scenic bridge". On the same day, Malaysian Minister of Works Datuk Samy Vellu was quoted in Bernama as saying that he had asked the contractor to continue the work without any disruption.

Such remarks as reported by the Malaysian media are cause for some concern as they were made even as the

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Senior Officials from Singapore and Malaysia were in Kuala Lumpur discussing the possibility of Singapore and Malaysia cooperating to construct a full straight bridge. Such continued public comments on Malaysia's intention to proceed with the half-bridge will not be helpful to the ongoing bilateral negotiations on the full bridge.

Members will remember that when Malaysian Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid and Minister George Yeo met during the MFA-Wisma Putra Game in Singapore from 4-5th February 2006, they agreed that both sides should continue with the negotiations for a full bridge. Wisma Putra had also previously clarified to us in a Third Person Note (TPN) that Malaysia remained committed to negotiations for a full bridge. However, the statements by Malaysian leaders on the construction on the "scenic" or half-bridge contradict what Wisma Putra had earlier communicated to us. This is why Singapore has sent Malaysia several TPNs seeking clarification on Malaysia's position on the "scenic bridge" or half-bridge. Malaysia has yet to reply formally to these TPNs.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan (Hong Kah): Sir, I would like to ask the Minister two supplementary questions. The Malaysian DPM Datuk Seri Najib has been quoted in the press as saying that it is within Malaysia's right to build the bridge within their territory. What is Singapore's position regarding this?

I would also like to ask the Minister what is the impact or implication for Singapore if Malaysia were to go ahead to build the so-called "scenic" half-bridge within its territory.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Mr Speaker, Sir, this House may be aware of reports in the Malaysian media regarding comments by Malaysian leaders, including

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DPM Najib, which Dr Amy Khor alluded to just now, on the continued construction of the half-bridge within Malaysia's territory. Recent public comments by various Malaysian quarters reaffirm Malaysia's intention to proceed with the construction of the half-bridge and thereafter to demolish its half of the Causeway unilaterally and Malaysia claims that it has the sovereign right to do so.

On 18th March 2006, the NST reported DPM Najib as saying, "This is our right. Nobody can question or deny us this right as a sovereign nation. The Government is committed to building the bridge." Singapore does not accept that Malaysia has the right to demolish its side of the Causeway unilaterally and replace it with a half-bridge. This position has been repeatedly conveyed to Malaysia, through diplomatic channels, on a number of occasions. We have taken this position not lightly but after seeking expert legal advice.

Any major work related to the Causeway on which also are sited the pipelines supplying water to Singapore will affect both Singapore and Malaysia in a variety of areas of vital importance to both countries. This is why Singapore cannot accept that Malaysia has the right to unilaterally replace its side of the Causeway with a half bridge.

Members will recall that in 2003 Malaysia had applied to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to stop Singapore from undertaking reclamation works within Singapore's sovereign territory. Malaysia's action was guided by the principle that any major work in the Johor Straits, even if done within the sovereign territory of Singapore, could affect Malaysia. Similarly, we have reminded Malaysia that any decision to demolish the Causeway has to comply with the principles enunciated in the

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ITLOS Order and must also be fully consistent with the requirements of international law. Singapore has stated its position clearly and consistently and hope that Malaysia will understand Singapore's concerns and position. As I have mentioned, Singapore has asked Malaysia to clarify its position officially with regard to the half-bridge. In the meantime, Singapore will continue negotiating with Malaysia on a possible full bridge to replace the Causeway based on balance of benefits.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong (Tampines): Sir, it is puzzling, on the one hand, we have on-going negotiations and, on the other hand, we read in the newspapers that the Malaysian government intends to carry on to build the half bridge first, and later on the full bridge, regardless of Singapore's position. Can I ask the Second Minister whether, in all the negotiations with Malaysia, Malaysia has indicated that it understands and accepts the principle of a balance of benefits and that it is prepared to hold off its decision to build the bridge until a full agreement is reached between both sides?

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: As I mentioned just now, I am not at liberty to disclose the details of the negotiations because Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi have agreed to keep this off the media. But, with regard to the Member's point whether this point on the balance of benefits has been put across and registered with the Malaysian side, in fact, when SM Goh met with PM Abdullah Badawi in their earlier meetings on how to proceed with bilateral issues, they have agreed on two principles. One, on the existing issues, including the bridge, they should be done with a balance of benefits that both sides should have mutual benefits. Second, we should not allow these old issues to hold back future cooperation. These are the two underlying principles.