In a statement, the foreign ministry said upon learning of the planned visit from a Malaysian enforcement agency on the morning of Jan 9, ministry officials acting on the advice of the foreign minister had contacted the menteri besar’s office.

It said the officials had done so “immediately and repeatedly”, conveying a message for him not to proceed with the visit.

“The ministry was concerned that such a visit would be counter-productive after the positive and constructive outcome of the bilateral meetings between the foreign minister and the foreign minister of Singapore just the day before,” it added.

The ministry was referring to the meeting on Jan 8 in which the ministers from both countries agreed to establish a working group to study and discuss legal and operational matters to de-escalate the situation and to provide a basis for further discussions and negotiations.

Osman claimed he had received the unofficial blessing from Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and his deputy to visit the port.

When contacted, however, Wisma Putra said the menteri besar was already on board a vessel heading towards the Johor Bahru port.

“As a result, the ministry received a diplomatic note from Singapore dated Jan 11, protesting his actions and consequently postponing the 14th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM), originally scheduled for Monday, Jan 14,” it said.

Speaking in the country’s Parliament earlier this week, Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had both blamed Osman’s visit for the deteriorating situation in the disputes between the two neighbours.

Osman has since defended his actions.