Singapore, January 14: Singapore's foreign minister says there will be "consequences" if neighbouring Malaysia continues to escalate a dispute over waters that are claimed by Singapore. In a speech to Parliament on Monday, Vivian Balakrishnan reported "daily intrusions" by Malaysian government vessels which have been in the waters off western Singapore since November. He also raised a widely publicized visit by a Malaysian chief minister, who boarded one of the vessels last week.

The visit came a day after Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart met in Singapore. They announced a working group for tensions in the waters, which are less than 24 nautical miles, or around 44 kilometers, wide. US President Donald Trump Celebrates Birthday Early in Singapore: Vivian Balakrishnan Shares Pic With Cake.

The two countries, which were briefly merged in 1963, have agreed to peacefully resolve disputes over territorial waters and airspace.