Zainul Abidin Rasheed, MP for Aljunied GRC asked, "Minister's ministerial statement is a watershed development in more ways than one, not for anyone to take lightly. Its in a matter of our lifeline. How does the ministry intend to get this message across to the Malaysian people when the Malaysian media is bent on giving misrepresentation, and how does the Minister ensure that this does not add to the tension which is already
emotionally charged in KL where the word 'War' has been floated around?"

Professor S Jayakumar agreed; "The member is right. Malaysian media will not report correctly or sometimes not at all. So I say this is on the website of MFA and embassy
website and we'll find other ways but I hope the people and people of Malaysia will read this carefully because it is not intended to create tension, bacause I have carefully measured my words to contain facts and facts can speak for themselves and bringing the facts cannot be said to be motivated to up the temperature."

Ahmad Khalis, MP for Hong Kah GRC asked, "What are the differences to Singapore's position to Pedra Branca as regards to Pedra Branca? My second question; has Malaysia decided to claim any other islands that belong to us besides Pedra Branca?"

Professor S Jayakumar replied; "Let me say upfront Pulau Pisang belongs to Malaysia. We have never disputed Malaysia''s sovereignity over Pulau Pisang but our MPA however has a right to operate the lighthouse there and the plot of land as well as the raod
leading to lighthouse has been granted in perpetuaty so long as Singapore operates that lighthouse. It's in an indenture between Johor Sultanate and the Straits Settlements in 1900; so Pulau Pisang we never contested the sovereignty. But Pedra Branca is ours so its ridiculous for Malaysians to say that we can only operate the
lighthouse and I might add that in 1968, the Malaysians objected that we fly our flag at Pulau Pisang and we took it down but never objected to flying singapore flag at Pedra Branca.

"Any other claims? The member is asking because press reports in March last year where Berita Harian carried a report by some Malaysian lawyer where it said that Pulau Tekong Kecil was part of Johor but this is important. The very next day, the Malaysian's Foreign Minister publicly denied the claim in Pulau Tekong Kecil and says that malaysian do not wish to create new problem with Singapore by staking new claims and as far as Malaysia is concerned, the only outstanding claim is over Pedra Branca."

Nominated MP, Associate Professor Ngiam Tee Liang asked, "In view of the twists and turns of the issues, and the tendency of the Malaysian media to play up also these issues, I would like to ask Minister whether it is his assessment there could be a possible danger for terrorist groups to exploit the issues and this becomes one of
the Achilles heel in our bilateral relations and so what can we do to overcome and to let the seriousness of the way the situation is developing actually adds to the danger we are faced with global terrorism."

Professor S Jayakumar replied; "I would like to allay the fears of the members that amidst all this, one of the silver lining if I may say so, is that is the professionals in our law enforcement agencies on both sides, the intelligence, our narcotics, our CID. They have an excellent record of close cooperation. This record of close cooperation continued in the past even during the ups and downs in bilateral relations. And I can say so, with some personal knowledge because for some years I was Minister for Home Affairs and the excellent cooperation."

Low Thia Khiang, MP for Hougang asked, "I was quite surprised to hear about the chronological sequence of negotiations that the Minister and Prime Minister had with the Malaysians. It seems to me that our Ministers are being pulled around by the Malaysians going up and down, changing goalpost here and there and I think to me I thought this is quite uncharacteristic of the PAP government which is always talking about no nonsense, being tough - so I am quite surprised that how come in this bilateral with Malaysians, the negotiations seems that Singapore is being pulled along.

"We have reached this point where there is a need to open up everything to the public and to tell the public that perhaps maybe there is no return to negotiations. So I wonder whether the way to Singapore's approach to negotiations so accommodating, so diplomatic. I wonder whether the Foreign Minister will comment whether this has been the correct approach so far, and if so, then why we end up in that situation?

Professor S Jayakumar replied; "That is a good question because it causes us to pause and reflect. As he said, why have we reached this position? Have we reached the
position because of some "uncorrect" approach of the Foreign Minister and correct approach of their Foreign Minister? These are not personal whims and fancies of a Singapore Minister dealing with personal whims and fancies of a Malaysian Minister. These are negotiating positions and national positions taken in the conduct of negotiations.

"Yes, we have been accommodating and reasonable in the negotiations but if the Member had listened to me and as is clear from the documents, he would have seen how the Singapore side, not just the officials or the Foreign Minister, their leaders - the positions we have articulated at every turn, what has been upper most in our minds? It has been the national interest of Singapore and in pursuing the national interest of
Singapore, we have in the negotiations had certain markers and those markers have not been compromised.

"What are the markers that have not been compromised? One, observance of agreements solemnly and willingly entered into, observance of the water agreements, the guarantees in the water agreements - we have always insisted and never departed from that. Secondly, we were prepared to have the issues resolved in a package in return for future water that will be in Singapore's national interest. That has been a central point in the negotiations. Have we conceded on that? We have not conceded on that. Third, when they discontinued with the package and insisted on price of current water, our position has been another marker that we are prepared to discuss current water in the context of the package. You take it out of the package, push for future water in 2059 is off. Then it is off, we cannot be bullied and intimidated into agreeing to unilateral revision of the water agreements. There are clear provisions in the agreements and you cannot do it at your whim and fancy. It has to be resolved in accordance with the law and in accordance with the law, we say you have lost the right of review. They disagreed, then there is a process. So at every stage I think it should be clear that Singapore's negotiating position has had uppermost over-riding interest of Singapore."

Nominated MP Braema Mathi asked, "The Minister has said in his concluding statement about Pedra Branca that the consequences will be costly, can I ask him to clarify what he means? Two, in terms of our navy and airforce who, have they received special
instructions what to do?"

Professor S Jayakumar replied; "There will be intrusions and you have a high risk of loss of lives, damage, as to the second part, whatever the instructions, I have no doubt that Tony Tan will give the necessary instructuiosn or us to maintain the authority and
integritry."

Mr Chiam see Tong, MP for Potong Pasir asked, "I would like to know whether or not is Singapore willing to make a standing offer to Malaysia to have the outstanding matters arbitrated or go before the international court of law since Minister has said that it needs the consensus of both sides to go to the help of a third party?

"Now the other supplementary question I would like to ask is has the situation at Pedra Branca improved since the recent statement of the Minister of Defence Mr Tony Tan with regard to intrusion of Malaysian naval vessels in our Singapore territorial waters?"

Professor S Jayakumar replied; "The answer to the first question of whether we would make a standing offer, I think the answer is yes. First because we offered to go to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and they said no. And, as it is clear from my speech, since they have said no to that, to resolve the impasse, we said look let's follow the provisions in the Water Agreements. But actually that's a move that they have already commenced by issuing a notice. So we have commented and we have said we are prepared to take that route."

Nominated MP, Chandra Mohan asked; "Would the minsiter consider a group of parliamentarians to appear in parliament and present the facts and by having this kind of information, would they be able to resolve the power and people's power can resolve the problem?"

Professor S Jayakumar replied;"If indeed I was in the position to order the Malaysian press to publish my satatement, I will do so. I cannot quarrel about widest dissemination of facts. I hope he will also do so. We should use all contacst to disseminate the information. As through alternative forms of discussion, I am not averse to any and every possible way that can aid the process of solving bilaterals and the good will. It must involve a whole spectrum of officials and government bodies and parliamenthave a role to play. Madam Deputy Speaker I can't see how we can do that. How different can that be at ministerial level but as general principle must be practical and workable."