KL-S'pore row over land reclamation work heats up

KL-S'pore row over land reclamation work heats up

Agence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur

A row over Singapore's land reclamation project heated up over the weekend, with senior Malaysian leaders and dailies accusing the republic of being selfish.

Abdul Ghani Othman, chief minister of southern Johor state bordering Singapore, told Sunday's Mingguan Malaysia that Singapore should have first considered the ecological impact of its project on Malaysia.

He said Johor fishermen had complained of a sharp drop in their catch since the project began three weeks ago at the narrow Tebrau Straits separating the two countries.

He also expressed concern that the 25-year-old Pasir Gudang port would lose its competitiveness if larger vessels had to pay additional costs for pilot services to sail through narrower straits.

Abdul Ghani said the project reflected Singapore's "kiasu" -- which means "afraid to lose" in the Hokkien dialect -- attitude.

"My personal view is that they realise the implication of the land reclamation on Malaysia but maybe they only put Singapore's interest first," he told the Malay-language newspaper.

"It reflected Singapore's attitude and approach towards its neighboring countries. They often think they have the right to do what they want as long as it fulfills their interest."

Asked if the move was to sabotage Johor's ports, he said: "I think it is more towards their kiasu mentality and don't-care attitude about the implications of their actions on other people."

Since Singapore was ejected from the Malaysian Federation in 1965, the two have become economic rivals with fast- industrializing Malaysia steadily closing the wealth gap with the island.

Malaysia fears reclamation work at certain stretches along the straits is too close to its border and could obstruct ships headed for ports in Johor which are being promoted to rival Singapore's port.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday that Malaysia would seek a guarantee from Singapore that the project would not unsettle the sea bed and affect passage for boats through its waters.

But Singapore's foreign ministry retorted Saturday that there was no legal basis to Malaysia's concerns.

"The reclamation is carried out entirely within Singapore's territory and all reclamation works are done within our rights and in keeping with international law," it said.

The New Straits Times, in a Saturday editorial, said many Malaysians viewed Singapore as an "irritating pimple which refuses to burst."

In its Sunday editorial, the newspaper said it was incumbent upon Singapore to ensure the project had no consequence on its neighbor, failing which Malaysia has a case under international law.

The issue was expected to be discussed during Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit to Malaysia from March 11 to 14, officials said.

The row has put a fresh strain on often prickly relations between Malaysia and its tiny but prosperous neighbor.

Apart from the land reclamation project, largely Muslim Malaysia has also criticized Singapore's ban on Islamic headscarves in schools and its recent suspension of three girls who flouted the ban.

Other issues that have strained ties include water supplies, a proposed bridge linking the countries and the use of Malaysian airspace by Singaporean aircraft.