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©The Star (Used by permission)

JOHOR BARU: Singapore’s claim that it has territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Batu Puteh is an act of provocation.

Puteri Wangsa assemblyman Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman said Malaysia should not be trapped by the provocative tactic often used by Singapore.

“Singapore is using this dirty tactic to provoke Malaysia and make us lose focus to find documents and evidence to reclaim Batu Puteh,” he told Bernama.

He said Singapore should have referred the maritime border issue to the technical committee formed by the two countries after the decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

Singapore Senior Minister of State Balaji Sadasivan had claimed that it had territorial sea limit up to 12 nautical miles and EEZ consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOs) of Dec 10, 1982, to which it was a party.

Gelang Patah assemblyman Datuk Abdul Aziz Sapian said the statement showed that Singapore wanted to expand its territory and become a major maritime force in the region.

Johor Historical Association (JHA) committee member Zaaba Abdul Samad described Balaji's statement as “wild” since the technical committees of both countries were still in talks over the maritime border.

He said JHA would continue to trace the letter sent by Straits Settlements Governor William John Butterworth to the Sultan of Johor in 1844 asking permission to build a lighthouse on Batu Puteh.

In KUALA LUMPUR, PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said the statement showed disrespect for Malaysia and was untimely as the technical committee has yet to decide on the maritime border.

“So please, Singapore, don’t jump the gun,” he said.

Malaysia to wait for technical report, says Rais

by Mazwin Nik Anis

SINGAPORE: Malaysia will wait for the report from a technical committee before deciding on Singapore's claim to territorial sea and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Batu Puteh.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said that the committee, comprising experts and authorities from both countries, were preparing reports to be submitted to both governments.

“The committee will work out the scope and determine what are the areas that ought to be cleared through legal and technical means.

“There is no question of intimidation or untoward expectations,” he said when clarifying a report quoting him as saying that Malaysia would have to study Singapore’s recent decision on Batu Puteh to see if the matter was intimidating.

Singapore Senior Minister of State Balaji Sadasivan had told its Parliament on Monday that the island state had a territorial sea limit that extended up to a maximum of 12 nautical miles and an EEZ which was consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The International Court of Justice handed sovereignty of Batu Puteh to Singapore while Middle Rocks were given to Malaysia.

The third outcrop, South Ledge, belongs to the country in the territorial waters of which it is located.

Dr Rais said he and his Singapore counterpart George Yeo had agreed to allow the technical committee to look into the matter first.

“I must emphasise that relations between Malaysia and Singapore are not in anyway affected by this recent development,” he said.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein called on the Foreign Ministry to stand firm on the country's sovereignty.

He said the statement by Balaji was an indication that Singapore had ignored the spirit of bilateral relations and Asean solidarity.

“The statement clearly shows that Singapore doesn't respect the call by the International Court of Justice that efforts to develop this region should come through cooperation,” he said in a statement yesterday.

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