Malaysia, Singapore Officials Trade Comments on Maritime Dispute
Royal Malaysian Navy ships patrol the border.
Photographer: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP via Getty Images
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Malaysia and Singapore issued more comments on a territorial dispute between the nations. Singapore claims Malaysian government vessels are intruding into its waters, an action its Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat described as a violation of international law.
The statements signal a potential escalation in the war of words between the two Southeast Asian countries, a level of bickering not seen in years. The duo, which were once part of the same country, had a fractious relationship during Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s first stint in power from 1981 to 2003.