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©New Sunday Times (Used by permission)
by Dharshini Balan

JELEBU: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim has described Singapore's claim of a territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Pedra Branca as politically driven and confusing, saying that the island republic should not be "treading in uncharted waters".

Rais said that matters such as the EEZ should be left to the joint Singapore-Malaysia technical committee on Pedra Branca to resolve and that the city state's leaders should refrain from making baseless statements.

Rais further chastised Singapore's Senior Minister of State, Balaji Sadasivan, who had made the claims in Singapore's Parliament, saying that his statements were not in accordance with the initial understanding between both countries.

"It is not practical for any party to be making any claims now because claiming a territorial sea cannot be changed as and when a country feels like it.

"Furthermore, the statement was confusing.

"This has caused anger among many people, including Umno members and the people of Johor," he said after opening the Simpang Durian Senior Citizen Club's annual general meeting and Health Check Awareness Programme at the Simpang Durian community hall here yesterday.

Also present was Negri Sembilan Housing and Local Government, New Villages and Public Transport Committee chairman Siow Chen Pin.

Rais pointed to the fact that under Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which both countries are signatories, rocks that cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no EEZ.

"Singapore is aware and understands that the technical committee is handling the matter and yet we find it strange for them (Singapore) to make such statements.

"The technical committee, which was formed on May 25, will issue individual reports on the matter."

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