KL, S'pore declare truce in dredging row

KL, S'pore declare truce in dredging row

MALAYSIA: Malaysia and Singapore have agreed a truce in their
legal battle over land reclamation in the thin strip of sea that
separates them, in another small step in efforts to improve
often-strained relations.

The two countries reached a "mutually acceptable" in-principle
agreement to settle their 18-month dispute over Singapore's land-
reclamation works in the Johor Strait, according to a joint
government statement on Friday.

Political experts said the deal was an early sign of warming
ties between the two ASEAN members, which would help set the
foundation for resolving larger disputes between them.

Singapore's former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong had said that
the countries should seek to resolve their many disputes by
dealing with the less thorny issues first, or plucking the "low-
hanging fruits".

Bilateral relations have been complicated since Singapore and
Malaysia formally separated in 1965. But they have warmed over
the past year, since veteran and outspoken Malaysian leader
Mahathir Mohamad retired. His successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,
has adopted a more consensual approach to foreign relations.
--Reuters