Quora Answer: What If the Singapore Marine Police Arrested the Malaysian Marine Department Vessel?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “What would have happened if the Singapore Marine Police arrested the Malaysian Marine Department vessel?”

Singapore is not going to risk a diplomatic incident over a small boat.  If the Police Coast Guard, (not Marine Police), were to arrest a Malaysian government vessel of any sort, it would be because they have information that the crew are engaged in illegal activities, and only with the cooperation of the Malaysian authorities.  If we are at the stage of arresting Malaysian government vessels in disputed waters, that means our diplomatic relations have broken down absolutely, and we are likely a step closer to war.

Also, we have to consider that when it comes to territorial disputes, it is also important to manage the optics.  The Malaysians putting a boat there does not help them.  It makes them look to be the aggressor, and the belligerent.  It does not help their case.  If this case were brought to the International Court of Justice, it has no impact on the case.  The Malaysians were pandering to a domestic audience.  It is the sort of short-termism that has always characterised Mahathir bin Mohamad’s administration.