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Singapore-Malaysia ties took a sudden turn on two fronts yesterday, as simmering disputes over airspace and territorial waters came into the open. Singapore said it had lodged a strong protest with Kuala Lumpur over its move to extend the Johor Baru port limits to encroach into the Republic's territorial waters off Tuas. The Republic added that it would not hesitate to take firm action against intrusions and unauthorised activities in its waters. "Singapore has protested the unauthorised movements of, and purported assertions of sovereignty by, these vessels, which are inconsistent with international law," it said. "The Republic of Singapore Navy and the Police Coast Guard are safeguarding the sovereignty of Singapore territorial waters and enforcing the security of these waters on a 24/7 basis," it added. Mr Khaw said the Malaysian actions "are clearly a violation of our sovereignty and international law" The maritime clash surfaced just hours after Malaysia's Transport Minister said Kuala Lumpur planned to retake charge of managing airspace over south Johor that had long been delegated to the Republic, drawing a swift response from his Singapore counterpart. "It is not our stance to take a confrontational approach," said Mr Anthony Loke. "But this involves our sovereignty, which the Malaysian government will defend in the strongest terms." https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=T2MUiimXovo This drew a swift response from Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who said: "Airspace management has nothing to do with sovereignty, and many countries have their airspace, or at least part of (it), managed by other countries." Rather, it was about safety and efficiency, he added. On the maritime front, Singapore's Ministry of Transport said Malaysia announced the change to Johor Baru port limits in a notice in the Federal Government Gazette on Oct 25. Over the past two weeks, vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Department Malaysia have also repeatedly intruded into these territorial waters, the ministry added. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-kl-ties-hit-by-disputes-over-waters-and-airspace