Originally posted by idwar:
Papua (Irian Jaya) was not part of Indonesian empire. But when the Dutch left, the Indons took over the remains of the Dutch East Indies.
Whatever belonged to the Straits Settlements or the British Crown Colony of Singapore should by right remain with Singapore when Spore was given self rule.
1955 was not too far away.
The people of Christmas island/ cocoas were local Spore people
Now any of you wanna give away Pedar Blangka? Afterall, it's also just a piece of Rock? Or isit because Malaysia small, Australia big (and white) ?
I don't think you understand. Singapore never gave away Coco Islands. The British administrators of the Colony of Singapore did.
Well, Pedra Blangka is an important strategic territory where its surrounding waters could control the southern gate of South China Sea. Having control over the coast around that "rock" is the important.
It is already in our possession since our sovereignty. And now that Malaysia is challenging us to take it away, we'll have to justify our basic rights that it is ours.
It is stated in state papers that if it is taken away, it violates our independence and constitution.
The purpose of the level of importance to our nation is of our primary interest.
Taking in territories to increase our area is not even of secondary importance. What primary importance is Coco Islands and Christmas Island is for us?
Simply for NTUC Club to setup a retirement centre over there? I don't think it is worth the price that need the Singapore government to run our economic and miltary interests there.
But so far what I've seen of "your interests" is not of primary importance.
Remember this point, if you want something, you need to protect it. It is just like having a pet, if you want a pet, you need to take care of it and protect it.
For Coco Islands and Christmas Island, we couldn't even say that those over there are Singaporeans. They are also Malay people from Malaya who went to Coco Islands and Christma Island.
Is Malaysia going to take back the Cocos Island because their people is there too?
Your logic may sound logical but it ain't sensible. It is dangerous. It will screw up the territorial politics in the world.
If one nation DID possess a territory in the past and is able to get it back, what if Malaysia wanted to take back Singapore?