KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore has agreed to temporarily stop all ongoing reclamation and development plans in Batu Puteh, says Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
According to Mohamad, the decision by Singapore came following Malaysia’s verbal and written objections that Singapore has no right to continue planning development and reclamation works until the two countries finalise the maritime borders in those waters.
“Singapore agreed to stop all temporary plans for development and reclamation works in Batu Puteh.
“Aside from determining maritime borders, negotiations to discuss Singapore’s unilateral development plans in Batu Puteh have been started by both countries,” said Mohamad during his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 23).
Mohamad said the Foreign Ministry and other government agencies are currently monitoring current developments and studying actions that can be taken based on international laws and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“As a responsible nation, Malaysia remains with the principles that this matter has to be handled diplomatically with good faith.
“We also hope Singapore will respect and not take any action that reflects bad faith,” said Mohamad.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently said Malaysia and Singapore agreed to hold detailed negotiations on the republic’s plans to reclaim lands near Batu Puteh.
Anwar also said this was agreed with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his recent visit to the republic last month.
However, Anwar said the decision not to appeal the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision should be reviewed.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said that Batu Puteh is the official term used by the government and not “Pulau Batu Puteh” (Batu Puteh islands).
“It (Batu Puteh) does not qualify as an island according to Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.
“This is also in line with the Cabinet decision dated Aug 13, 2008,” said Mohamad.
In December last year, the Attorney General had been instructed to review matters pertaining to Malaysia's claim over Batu Puteh.
In 2008, the ICJ ruled that Pedra Branca (Batu Puteh) belonged to Singapore, while the sovereignty over the nearby Middle Rocks (Batuan Tengah) was awarded to Malaysia.
The Malaysian government filed an application in 2017 for a review of ICJ’s decision to award jurisdiction over Batu Puteh to Singapore.
In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government withdrew the application before the case was heard in June of that year.
