SINGAPORE (Dec 12): Singapore has “strongly urged” Malaysia to withdraw completely its vessels from disputed waters which it claims to be its territorial waters.

Its Transport Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, was quoted by The Straits Times as saying that Malaysia has withdrawn two vessels but one still remains there.

The newspaper quoted Khaw as saying that the vessel's presence creates "unnecessary risks" and could lead to "accidental escalation on the ground".

This risk is also "not conducive to the upcoming bilateral discussions that we are going to hold next month", Khaw was quoted as saying.

On whether the talks — which the two countries have agreed to hold in the second week of January — are conditional on Malaysian vessels pulling out completely from the disputed waters, Khaw reportedly said: "We are committed to talks and we will talk, that has always been our attitude."

"Peaceful resolution is always the best way forward," he said, adding that having Malaysian ships remain "doesn't add to your legal case".

He said Malaysia's commitment to take all effective measures to de-escalate any tension on the ground is a "good move in the right direction".

Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said last Monday that Malaysian vessels will stay put in the disputed waters along the Malaysia-Singapore maritime border.

He said they will continue to be there until the negotiation process on the maritime border between the two countries is settled.