Originally posted by Shotgun:
What if the British did not obtain permission to build the lighthouse on Pedra Branca? It was not documented that they did, it is only assumed. Like there was no documentation of Pedra Branca ceded. What if the British just built on it thinking it was a part of Singapore? It was after all a rock. Maybe the British just built on it and simply bochup?
What would that do for our claims?
Was the Malay Sultanate in Johor, or even in the Bintan area, aware of the extent of their territory which belonged to them?
In those early historic days, without the benefit of survey maps, navigation, GPS, etc. - what is there to assist them to determine the extent of their rule; except to be like the animals that defecate and leave their scents as they move.
During the 1500's Pre-Colonial Days, and during the 1700's onward, no one had a clue as to who owns some of the many remote islands on this globe.
It was common for the British, Dutch, Spaniards, and Portuguese gallions to drop anchor on the many remote islands - that dot an area stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean - and claiming those islands for their King and Country.
Some remain in their possession to this day.
If UK still sits on Preda Branca, one wonder if the Malaysian PM and FM dare to be as vociferous as they have been towards us.
It will be doubtful if they even dare to rattle their kris towards UK, as they had done to us, being so "macho" to talk to us about "war".
They are like the bully at the corner, waiting to pick a fight with someone whom they think is just a "spectacled nerd".
There are just as many ways to skin a snake who speaks with 'fork tongue'.