PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hopes that outstanding issues between Malaysia and Singapore would be resolved before the annual Singapore-Malaysia leaders retreat at the end of this year.
At a joint press conference with his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong, Anwar said this included issues surrounding the sale of water, flight information region (FIR), and maritime demarcation.
"If you ask for a timeline, it should have been resolved yesterday. But we understand the complexities, and we appreciate the need to resolve this amicably.
"Notwithstanding some minor differences, it shouldn't deter us from exploring new avenues and working together," he said.
Anwar said the issue now was to ensure that all the details and the "nitty-gritty" were resolved.
He added that the faster the issues were resolved, the better it was for the two countries.
"There is no question that (with) water, it is quite established that we need to sell water to Singapore.
"Similarly for FIR, these is no question that it is being required by Changi (International Airport), and it is the same with maritime boundaries and economic and financial zone processes."
He assured that he would insist government staff work at a faster pace and resolve all outstanding issues as best as they can.
"It would be wonderful and marvelous if we can resolve it before the bilateral meeting end of this year.
"The issue is to my mind, clear. We need to resolve it, there's no way we can get out of it. It is something that we as good neighbours have to get done.
"I need to showcase to the region and the world how good neighbours should behave and interact, so I look forward to that final amicable resolution," he added.
Anwar had a four-eyed meeting with Wong that lasted over an hour at Seri Perdana, today.
Meanwhile, Wong said his meeting with Anwar was a good opportunity to touch base and take stock of outstanding issues.
He said however, any differences between both countries on the issues should not affect the relationship between Malaysia and Singapore, and must not detract from the possibilities of pursuing new areas of cooperation.
"So that is the spirit we have in thinking and addressing these issues, and if we cannot resolve it completely, we look forward to at least see very good progress by the time we meet at the upcoming leaders' retreat."
Wong arrived in Malaysia for a two-day visit yesterday night. His visit was at the invitation of Anwar, and is also his first trip overseas since being sworn in as Singapore's fourth Prime Minister on May 15.