Malaysian Government's Detention of Greek Vessel Piraes and Crew

4 Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) whether the Malaysian government's detention of Greek vessel Pireas and crew, which collided with the Malaysian vessel Polaris in Singapore territorial waters, represents an exercise of foreign sovereignty in Singapore territorial waters; and (b) what measures can be taken to ensure that vessels, crew and passengers, particularly Singapore-flagged, will not be subject to foreign authority whilst in Singapore territorial waters or for acts committed in Singapore territorial waters.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan) : On 9 February this year, the Greece-registered bulk carrier Pireas collided with the Malaysian government vessel Polaris in Singapore Territorial Waters off Tuas. A Singapore Police Coast Guard vessel was onsite, observed and recorded the collision. The Maritime Port Authority (MPA) was, therefore, notified by both the Maritime Security Task Force and by the Pireas herself. MPA ascertained that this incident was not classified as a "very serious marine casualty" under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Casualty Investigation Code. The ship, Pireas, was, therefore, allowed to proceed with its journey to its next port of call, which, in this case, happened to be Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia.

Pireas was not detained by the Malaysian authorities in Singapore Territorial Waters.

We will not allow foreign government vessels to assert any authority in our waters.

Mr Speaker : Assoc Prof Walter Theseira.

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira (Nominated Member) : Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs for that very strong statement that Singapore will not stand for foreign governments exercising sovereignty in our waters. I would like to ask if the Minister has any advice for mariners regarding travel or transit through this area? For example, should they take alternate routes and, if they are given instructions from Malaysian government vessels, what should they do? Perhaps, what would our forces do if they were to observe attempts to give such instructions in the area?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan : Mr Speaker, these are Singapore Territorial Waters. In fact, these have now been designated Singapore Port Limits. All vessels which are passing or transiting through these waters should, therefore, take instructions from the MPA. Any foreign government vessels have no locus standi to be issuing any instructions. If there are any attempts to assert authority or take any unauthorised actions, our agencies, our vessels and our forces will take appropriate measures.