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