D-day 23rd may pedra branca
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Channel NewsAsia - 1 hour 8 minutes ago
More work in store for Singapore, Malaysia after ICJ ruling
SINGAPORE: The International Court of Justice has awarded sovereignty over Pedra Branca to Singapore, while the Middle Rocks went to Malaysia, but the court left open the ownership of South Ledge, a third disputed cluster of rocks.
Sovereignty over South Ledge was left to be determined later between the countries when they sort our their territorial waters, the ruling said. So more work is in store for Singapore and Malaysia.
Associate Professor Robert Beckman from the NUS Faculty of Law said: "Indonesia may have to intervene in this case if the boundary is to be determined because their interest will be affected as well... if you look at the map — at least the map in the court’s decision — the islands are actually quite close to the Indonesian island of Bintan."
However, Professor Beckman believes an amicable agreement is within reach, given the ’very good’ relations between Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
He said: "Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia (relations) have been very good for the past three years, and there is a cooperative mechanism in the Straits of Malacca that was agreed in Singapore at an unprecedented level of cooperation. So, I would expect that these talks would proceed quite smoothly."
In the meantime, Singapore and Malaysia will discuss the steps and procedures to implement the court’s decision. For one thing, both sides have to discuss how to delimit the territorial waters in the Pedra Branca and Middle Rocks area.
A Singapore—Malaysia technical committee is already in place to discuss this and other related issues.
Prof Beckman said the committee will need to come up with an interim arrangement on who takes charge of certain areas in case there are incidents of ship collision or grounding in the area. This process can take months or even years.
Prof Beckman also said that while referring the Pedra Branca case to the ICJ shows a healthy development in bilateral relations, he does not foresee that all cases of territorial disputes in Asia will be brought before the international court.
He said: "Disputes like those between Korea and Japan are far more sensitive. (Korea—Japan dispute) involves a history of Japan and Korea and so much is at stake that they may not want an international negotiation. So, another way that states can resolve this issue is to leave — especially if resources are involved, like offshore gas — the sovereignty issue frozen. In other words, let’s not talk about sovereignty, but talk about jointly developing the area for offshore gas and oil."
He added that another option countries can consider is to get a mediator to settle disputes. — CNA/ir
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"very good relations" ? .... this ang moh must have been smoking something good ...
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Channel NewsAsia - 1 hour 1 minute ago
Ministers, MPs hail ICJ recourse as way to resolve dispute
SINGAPORE: Law Minister K Shanmugam has said the Pedra Branca issue is a long—standing dispute between Singapore and Malaysia and agreeing to resolve it through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a very responsible way of dealing with it.
Mr Shanmugam also said the Singapore team had put in a lot of effort and that the delegation had been "very professional, very thorough and totally prepared" in presenting Singapore’s case before the court.
Other ministers and MPs have also hailed the ICJ recourse as a model for two countries to resolve a dispute amicably.
"I think it shows that if we have a dispute, we can go to such international organisation — whether it’s arbitration or International Court of Justice — and get a third party to rule on the decision and then both sides... accept and abide by the decision," said Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and The Arts.
Ms Indranee Rajah, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: "Between sovereign states, there will always be issues, going forward. The important thing is that you decide it in accordance with the rule of international law, that means, states really submit themselves through a tribunal for a ruling. That’s much better than having a situation where you have constant friction, constant dispute."
Others said that the way Singapore and Malaysia have reacted to the judgement shows a level of maturity.
MP Irene Ng, who is also the Defence and Foreign Affairs GPC’s deputy chairman, said: "I noticed that both sides have assured each other that they will abide by it and so far, the response has been very rational and there’ve not been any attempts to work up nationalistic feelings.
"I think that also says a lot about our relationship... whether it’s win—win or not is for experts to say, but where individual countries are concerned, I think we can take courage that this is the way to go to resolve disputes. It is fair, it is transparent."
Dr Teo Ho Pin, chairman of Law and Home Affairs GPC, said: "There are already many assurances by the leaders that our bilateral ties are very strong. So I don’t think it (the ICJ ruling) will have any impact on bilateral ties. In fact, I think it’ll enhance bilateral ties between the two countries." — CNA/ir
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Wah, now Indonesia also involved ah? Good lar, each country take 1 rock. All happy rite?
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We may have a new kid on the block. This case is quite different from the 2005 Malaysia-Indonesia case. Has to put it in the proper context, according to the local conditions.
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Originally posted by lionnoisy:
Jane's Fighting Ships said SG has not declared the limit of
Exclusive Economic Zone.
So ,pl share more here.
Hmm, according to the Law of the Sea, EEZ extends 200nmi from the baseline of the coastal Island. With that, the nation also have rights to regulate navigation and flights over the EEZ. ...
Anyway, looking at the map, the only extendable area is towards the South China Sea, but i doubt PB can be defined as 'baseline of the coast' ... Me not expert in Maritime law .. ha -
just blow it out of the water lor .... simple ....
or we can arrange for an empty oil tanker registered in liberia to ram into south ledge eh ? ...
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Good things must share lah.....
S'pore gets 1 big rocks....
Malaysia gets some smaller rocks.....
Indonesia gets the 'disappearing' rock lor......
Not only win-win...... now is Win-Win-Win..... Everyone should be happy now....
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Singapore got big rock
Malaysia got 2 small balls lan-lan at Middle rocks
.jpg)
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Originally posted by idwar:
Singapore got big rock
Malaysia got 2 small balls lan-lan at Middle rocks
Big enough to hang a few pair of Dr M's underwear.....
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Originally posted by hloc:
Big enough to hang a few pair of Dr M's underwear.....
:D:D:D -
Can we send one sampan and knock the 2 rocks of the map.. oops.. our waters.
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I was one of those who thought Singapore would lose but come to think of it Singapore didnt quite win either.
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seriously man.. arctic melt abit more the islands gone liao.. shud just keep postponing the judgment lol.. let nature do the dirty job..
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Japan also got one small rock in the pacific but they keep putting concrete on it to 'keep it afloat' for the sake of fishing territory
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haha issit?
but if they duno who win den both side oso dunwan to spend money build what lol..
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.jpg)
This outcrop at South Ledge : Malaysia can station one man on one rock while singapore can station another man on the other rock
Good idea to share...yah?
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May 27, 2008
Malaysian MPs slam govt for losing Pedra Branca
Parliament debate shows island issue could become a political hot potato
By Carolyn Hong
KUALA LUMPUR - THE 'loss' of Pedra Branca to Singapore became a topic of debate in Parliament yesterday as several MPs expressed unhappiness at the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The debate was led by several Johor Members of Parliament, as well as opposition leaders.
The vocal Datuk Puad Zarkashi, an Umno MP from Johor, said Malaysia lost because it failed to archive its historical documents properly.
He lambasted the government for failing to locate a crucial letter from the British colonial government seeking the Johor sultan's permission to build a lighthouse on the island which he described as a key piece of evidence.
'As a Johorean, I am disappointed. We lost, simple as that. I don't believe in the win-win situation as claimed by the government,' he said.
The debate in Parliament came after a weekend of measured response from politicians and the media, and is an indication that the loss of the island could become a political hot potato.
The MPs had been briefed in advance of the ICJ verdict last Friday as the government attempted to moderate the response to the decision, but strong sentiments are beginning to surface.
The opposition has also jumped onto the bandwagon to blame the government for its poor handling of the case.
The opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) in Johor yesterday lodged a police report against former foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar for having been 'careless' in the handling of the case.
'They did not do anything against Singapore when it constructed buildings and a light house on the island,' Johor PAS information chief Mazlan Alimin said.
The party is also planning to table a motion in Parliament today to debate the matter.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim wrote in his blog yesterday that the ICJ decision was a bitter pill, and attacked the Malaysian government for its weak case.
'Malaysians should express their anger and regret at the carelessness, and protest to the Umno and BN-led government, and Attorney-General,' he said.
His wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, an MP from Penang, said in Parliament that Malaysians were saddened by the decision, against which there was no appeal.
Mr Mahfuz Omar, a PAS MP from Kedah, blamed the Attorney-General for failing to advise the government adequately.
Independent MP Ibrahim Ali urged the government to be wary of Singapore, pointing out that the Republic has a water treatment plant in Pulai which was manned by its personnel.
'I have been made to understand that it is big, and if it was to overflow, half of Johor will be flooded,' he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian analyst Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian was quoted in the Nanyang Siang Pau yesterday as saying that the ICJ decision could have military and strategic significance for Singapore.
He said Pedra Branca was a strategic spot from the military point of view, and that it could even be used as a new naval base.
'Although we are not certain whether there are oilfields around Pedra Branca, Singapore has achieved a historical breakthrough with the verdict,' he said.
lmao. -
Originally posted by ^tamago^:
May 27, 2008
Malaysian MPs slam govt for losing Pedra Branca
Parliament debate shows island issue could become a political hot potato
By Carolyn Hong
KUALA LUMPUR - THE 'loss' of Pedra Branca to Singapore became a topic of debate in Parliament yesterday as several MPs expressed unhappiness at the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The debate was led by several Johor Members of Parliament, as well as opposition leaders.
The vocal Datuk Puad Zarkashi, an Umno MP from Johor, said Malaysia lost because it failed to archive its historical documents properly.
He lambasted the government for failing to locate a crucial letter from the British colonial government seeking the Johor sultan's permission to build a lighthouse on the island which he described as a key piece of evidence.
'As a Johorean, I am disappointed. We lost, simple as that. I don't believe in the win-win situation as claimed by the government,' he said.
The debate in Parliament came after a weekend of measured response from politicians and the media, and is an indication that the loss of the island could become a political hot potato.
The MPs had been briefed in advance of the ICJ verdict last Friday as the government attempted to moderate the response to the decision, but strong sentiments are beginning to surface.
The opposition has also jumped onto the bandwagon to blame the government for its poor handling of the case.
The opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) in Johor yesterday lodged a police report against former foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar for having been 'careless' in the handling of the case.
'They did not do anything against Singapore when it constructed buildings and a light house on the island,' Johor PAS information chief Mazlan Alimin said.
The party is also planning to table a motion in Parliament today to debate the matter.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim wrote in his blog yesterday that the ICJ decision was a bitter pill, and attacked the Malaysian government for its weak case.
'Malaysians should express their anger and regret at the carelessness, and protest to the Umno and BN-led government, and Attorney-General,' he said.
His wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, an MP from Penang, said in Parliament that Malaysians were saddened by the decision, against which there was no appeal.
Mr Mahfuz Omar, a PAS MP from Kedah, blamed the Attorney-General for failing to advise the government adequately.
Independent MP Ibrahim Ali urged the government to be wary of Singapore, pointing out that the Republic has a water treatment plant in Pulai which was manned by its personnel.
'I have been made to understand that it is big, and if it was to overflow, half of Johor will be flooded,' he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian analyst Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian was quoted in the Nanyang Siang Pau yesterday as saying that the ICJ decision could have military and strategic significance for Singapore.
He said Pedra Branca was a strategic spot from the military point of view, and that it could even be used as a new naval base.
'Although we are not certain whether there are oilfields around Pedra Branca, Singapore has achieved a historical breakthrough with the verdict,' he said.
lmao.The actions was started when Mahathir was PM, and those who led the Malaysian case were also leftovers from the Mahathir hand selected group of cronies and suffering beneficiaries to his patronage scheme.
Is it the fault of the Badawi Government ?
They should continue leaning towards Mahathir, and perhaps Singapore will gain a few more islands.
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Originally posted by Hello Kitty:
Hey Where is the Branca MRT Station? More like Kelong Intergrated Resort
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me duno leh. =(
coz me no take train one.
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wah!! The drama is just Begun!!!
exclusive economic zones is the cause!
The verdict may creat more troubles.
1.Is Pedra Branca a rock or an island??
Malaysia's Foreign Ministry apparently wants a subtle name change.
It has asked the media on its side of the Causeway to drop the word “Pulau” and stick to “Batu Puteh” or “Pedra Branca” — white rock in Malay and Portuguese respectively.
Alternative news website The Malaysian Insider reported on Monday that checks with two national dailies confirmed such a request.
Singapore, on its part, maintains that Pedra Branca is an island.
Why make a mountain out of what seems a molehill?
One possible reason: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) says that islands generate exclusive economic zones but rocks do not.
SG Straits Times senior political correspondent Lydia Lim writes.31.05.2008.
p S10.
http://www.malaysianinsider.com/mni/rough-seas-or-calm-ahead.html
2.See how MY officials did
http://themalaysianinsider.com/mni/pulau-batu-puteh-icj-verdict.html
http://themalaysianinsider.com/mni/pile-of-rocks-or-island-to-experts-this-is-no-trivial-matter.html
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — If you take a look at news of Pulau Batu Puteh from today, you may notice something. A subtle name change. The Malaysian Insider learned that there was a request from Wisma Putra – specifically the technical committee set up to study implications of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision – to refer to Pulau Batu Puteh not as an island.
Essentially, they want it to be referred to as either Batu Puteh or Pedra Branca. A check with the editors of two national dailies confirmed the request. "There is no directive but it was more of a favour ... to not refer to the island as an island," said one of the editors.
He went on to elaborate that since it now belongs to Singapore, the newspaper will now refer to the island as Pedra Branca – the way Singapore has always referred to it. He also noted that it should also not be a problem to refer to the island as Batu Puteh. "Just drop the word pulau ... like the way we refer to Penang or Singapore."
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3.Evidences
A
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/2251300/Article/index_html
''2008/05/27
Pulau Pisang won't be another Batu Puteh
OHOR BARU: Pulau Pisang, which has a lighthouse operated by Singapore, will not turn into another Batu Puteh case as Malaysia has sovereignty over the island.''
B
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2250385/Article/index_html
2008/05/26
Call for joint maritime patrols
JOHOR BARU: Maritime patrols around Pedra Branca and Middle Rocks should be conducted jointly with Singapore as the two features were close to each other, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said.
Details of the security arrangement will be worked out by the technical committee set up to study the implications of the International Court of Justice's decision, which ruled that Pedra Branca belonged to Singapore while Malaysia had sovereignty over Middle Rocks.
Syed Hamid said Malaysia would not adopt an aggressive posture by cordoning off the area around Middle Rocks.
"Though Singapore got Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks belongs to us and our fishermen and vessels should not be hindered from going to the area.
"The technical committee must sit down and figure out the security arrangement and navigation in the area," Syed Hamid said.
Following the decision by the court on Friday, the government said a bilateral technical committee would be formed to draw up the two countries' maritime borders around Pedra Branca and Middle Rocks.
The committee would also determine which country possessed South Ledge, an outcropping southwest of Pedra Branca and Middle Rocks that is only visible at low tide. -
Originally posted by ^tamago^:
May 27, 2008
Malaysian MPs slam govt for losing Pedra Branca
Parliament debate shows island issue could become a political hot potato
By Carolyn Hong
KUALA LUMPUR - THE 'loss' of Pedra Branca to Singapore became a topic of debate in Parliament yesterday as several MPs expressed unhappiness at the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The debate was led by several Johor Members of Parliament, as well as opposition leaders.
The vocal Datuk Puad Zarkashi, an Umno MP from Johor, said Malaysia lost because it failed to archive its historical documents properly.
He lambasted the government for failing to locate a crucial letter from the British colonial government seeking the Johor sultan's permission to build a lighthouse on the island which he described as a key piece of evidence.
'As a Johorean, I am disappointed. We lost, simple as that. I don't believe in the win-win situation as claimed by the government,' he said.
The debate in Parliament came after a weekend of measured response from politicians and the media, and is an indication that the loss of the island could become a political hot potato.
The MPs had been briefed in advance of the ICJ verdict last Friday as the government attempted to moderate the response to the decision, but strong sentiments are beginning to surface.
The opposition has also jumped onto the bandwagon to blame the government for its poor handling of the case.
The opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) in Johor yesterday lodged a police report against former foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar for having been 'careless' in the handling of the case.
'They did not do anything against Singapore when it constructed buildings and a light house on the island,' Johor PAS information chief Mazlan Alimin said.
The party is also planning to table a motion in Parliament today to debate the matter.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim wrote in his blog yesterday that the ICJ decision was a bitter pill, and attacked the Malaysian government for its weak case.
'Malaysians should express their anger and regret at the carelessness, and protest to the Umno and BN-led government, and Attorney-General,' he said.
His wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, an MP from Penang, said in Parliament that Malaysians were saddened by the decision, against which there was no appeal.
Mr Mahfuz Omar, a PAS MP from Kedah, blamed the Attorney-General for failing to advise the government adequately.
Independent MP Ibrahim Ali urged the government to be wary of Singapore, pointing out that the Republic has a water treatment plant in Pulai which was manned by its personnel.
'I have been made to understand that it is big, and if it was to overflow, half of Johor will be flooded,' he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian analyst Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian was quoted in the Nanyang Siang Pau yesterday as saying that the ICJ decision could have military and strategic significance for Singapore.
He said Pedra Branca was a strategic spot from the military point of view, and that it could even be used as a new naval base.
'Although we are not certain whether there are oilfields around Pedra Branca, Singapore has achieved a historical breakthrough with the verdict,' he said.
lmao.Harlow......we didn't exactly win either. M'sia still succeeded in leaving a thorn in our hide, leaving room for argument who owns the seas there.
No wonder my uncle at the other side of the causeway always say the same thing about his govt every year: DI NAO! (Pig-brain).
Nobody pointed out to him that pigs are fairly clever though.