Linking the East and the West: discovering alternatives to the Straits of Malacca and Singapore

Separating the Malay Peninsular and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore form the most convenient route connecting the East and the West. The East Asian economic powerhouses of Japan, China and South Korea rely on these Straits to transport oil from their Middle Eastern suppliers. The emergence of China as one of the world\u27s major economic power has enhanced the usage of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore as important maritime conduits for the Chinese economy

Erecting Malaysia\u27s maritime fence over the Straits of Malacca and Singapore

Malaysia shares the Straits of Malacca and Singapore with Indonesia, Singapore and briefly, with Thailand. Before colonial times, there were no proper maritime boundary delimitation within the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 has divided the Straits of Malacca and Singapore into two spheres of dominions, which later on became the basis of modern territories of Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Since independence in 1957, Malaysia has been working closely with Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore to properly demarcate maritime boundary lines in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Nevertheless, there are still unresolved issues between these littoral States in demarcating their boundaries in these Straits. This may create difficulties particularly when the issues of exerting sovereignty or exercising sovereign rights come into picture. This article concludes that Malaysia should continue to work closely with its immediate neigbour, particularly Singapore and Indonesia in resolving these unsettled maritime boundary issues in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore