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Syed Hamid Says Malaysia, Singapore Achieve Agreement In Principle

KOTA TINGGI, March 12 (Bernama) - Malaysia and Singapore have achieved agreement in principle on a number of issues under negotiations including the construction of a straight bridge to replace the Johor Causeway, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Sunday.

He said the date for the two countries to reach final agreement was "getting nearer".

"In principle, there have been several agreements achieved. Now we need to go into the details and make the agreements final," he told reporters after launching the Umno Kota Tinggi division family day at Tanjung Sedili here.

The fifth round of talks between Malaysia and Singapore on outstanding bilateral issues is now being held in Kuala Lumpur at senior officials level.

Progress in the talks in the past had stalled over conditions set by the republic which included allowing Singapore's air force planes to use Malaysian air space for training exercises and permitting it to buy sand from Malaysia for its land reclamation programme.

Malaysia recently announced it would go ahead with building a "scenic bridge" to replace its half of the Causeway after revealing that the negotiation on jointly undertaking the project was dragging on without any conclusion.

Asked about the latest position on the bridge issue, Syed Hamid said: "In principle they (Singapore) are agreeable to see how best both parties can construct a straight bridge."

He added: "It (the negotiation) looks very positive and it won't take very long."

He said the talks by officials of the two sides in Kuala Lumpur were being conducted in a very positive and encouraging atmosphere.

Asked about the Singapore request for the use of Malaysian air space, Syed Hamid that if Malaysia gave its consent, it would only be for "clear and specific purposes".

"We have made it clear that it (use of the air space) will not be a reinstatement," he said in referring to the withdrawal of the permission given to the Singapore air force several years ago following complaints by Johor residents of low-flying jets posing a danger to lives and property.

He said if the republic wanted to use Malaysia's air space, the flights must not disturb the peace and tranquillity of Malaysians especially those living in Johor.

"If we were to give permission, it would not be for the Singapore jets to roam in our air space," he added.

On the third party note sent by Singapore recently seeking a clarification on Malaysia's decision to build a bridge on its side of the Tebrau Strait, he said the handing over of notes by either country would not upset the bilateral negotiation.

Syed Hamid said Malaysia had similarly handed over a third party note to Singapore recently asking for clarification of the republic's statement that Malaysia's decision to build a "half bridge" to replace the Causeway would have serious implications.

He said Malaysia and the republic enjoyed close cooperation in defence, including the anti-piracy Eyes-in-the-Sky (EiS) aerial surveillance of the Melaka Strait and their membership in the Five-Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) which also groups Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

-- BERNAMA