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M'sian PM Anwar wants A-G to review Pedra Branca case for ‘more meaningful’ talks with Singapore

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has asked the country’s Attorney-General (A-G) Idrus Harun for an explanation about the Pedra Branca island ownership controversy so he can initiate discussions with Singapore.

The tiny island of Pedra Branca sits at the entrance to the Singapore Strait at 44 km east of the city state and 15km off peninsular Malaysia's southern coast.
The tiny island of Pedra Branca sits at the entrance to the Singapore Strait at 44 km east of the city state and 15km off peninsular Malaysia's southern coast.
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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has asked the country’s Attorney-General (A-G) Idrus Harun for an explanation about the Pedra Branca island ownership controversy so he can initiate discussions with Singapore.

Located at 24 nautical miles (44km) to the east of Singapore, the island is referred to by Malaysia as "Pulau Batu Puteh".  

Mr Anwar told a news conference in Putrajaya on Wednesday (Dec 14) that his government will review the issue of the island so that a more meaningful negotiation can be held with Singapore. 

“Then we asked the A-G to give an explanation over the controversial claims of Batu Puteh that has been moved to Singapore by the International Court of Justice (ICJ),” he said.

Mr Anwar added: “Its side effects will also be reviewed and studied so that a more meaningful and immediate discussion can be held with Singapore so that no issues will arise between two friendly countries.”

The news conference was also live-streamed on Mr Anwar’s Facebook page.

In 2008, the ICJ in the Hague ruled that Pedra Branca belongs to Singapore. The maritime dispute was originally taken to the ICJ by Malaysia and Singapore in 2003.

“Beyond Malaysia, the legal implication here would be that Singapore will be able to claim territorial water around Batu Puteh, which under international law is upwards of 12 nautical miles,” said Minister of Law and Institutional Reform Azalina Othman in a letter published by Malay Mail in October 2022.

But the Member of Parliament from Pengerang constituency claimed that geographically, Pedra Branca is closer to Malaysia than Singapore.  

“It is approximately 7.7 nautical miles south of Tanjung Penyusup, Johor and 25 nautical miles east of Singapore,” she wrote.

Ms Azalina had said the ICJ decision holds implications related to national security as many have suggested that Singapore intends to use the location as a military outpost of some sort due to the presence of a lighthouse, a helipad, a desalination plant, and a military rebroadcast station on Pedra Branca.

Besides that, she said that the livelihood of fishermen in Pengerang have been affected as they can no longer fish in the area.

However, the ICJ decision can no longer be challenged due to Article 61(5) of the ICJ Statute which states: “No application for revision may be made after the lapse of ten years from the date of the judgment.”

Malaysian newswire Bernama reported on Oct 9 that a previous special task force to review laws relating to sovereignty over Pedra Branca as well as Middle Rocks and South Ledge had presented its final report to the cabinet then led by Mr Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Days later, Malaysia announced its intention to continue legal action in the ICJ on the issue of sovereignty over Pedra Branca.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) responded then that Singapore stood ready to "robustly defend" its sovereignty over the island.

"Singapore is unable to comment on Malaysia's latest intentions since no details have been shared," a ministry spokesperson said.

"Singapore stands ready to robustly defend our sovereignty over Pedra Branca and will deal with whatever legal action Malaysia may pursue." 

TODAY has reached out to MFA for comment on the latest development. WITH MALAY MAIL

Related topics

Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim Pedra Branca

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