ID :
16260
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 17:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16260
The shortlink copeid
M'SIA REMINDS S'PORE TO CEASE PROVOCATIVE CLAIM FOR EEZ IN BATU PUTEH WATERS
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Singapore has been reminded to cease its provocative claim for an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the waters of the Batu Puteh outcrop awarded to the republic by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in May, Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said Monday.
He said a strong verbal objection was registered with the Singapore foreign minister during the 41st Asean Ministerial Meeting in Singapore and a writtenobjection was sent on Aug 1.
"The written objection pointed out to the Singapore foreign minister that the republic's move went contrary to the Asean spirit and rule of law," he said when replying to Datuk Baharum Mohamad (BN-Sekijang), who had wanted to know of Malaysia's response to the Singapore claim, in the Lower House ofParlimen.
Rais said Singapore had acted unilaterally in the matter which, he added,was regrettable.
"In any situation, Singapore's claim for up to 12 nautical miles of regional waters as well as an EEZ for Batu Puteh was unreasonable and went contrary tointernational law," he said.
On May 23, the ICJ awarded Batu Puteh to Singapore and another outcrop, Middle Rocks, to Malaysia and ruled that a third, South Ledge, belonged to thecountry in whose territory it was located.
At a news conference later, Dr Rais said the Cabinet decided last week to exercise Malaysia's sovereignty over Middle Rocks and South Ledge, meaning the"Jalur Gemilang" Malaysian flag would be flown on the two outcrops.
"Furthermore, the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee wouldcontinue with its work," he said.
He said the committee would carry out mapping and hydrographic survey, and determine common territorial waters to facilitate shipping routes, among otherthings.
He said a strong verbal objection was registered with the Singapore foreign minister during the 41st Asean Ministerial Meeting in Singapore and a writtenobjection was sent on Aug 1.
"The written objection pointed out to the Singapore foreign minister that the republic's move went contrary to the Asean spirit and rule of law," he said when replying to Datuk Baharum Mohamad (BN-Sekijang), who had wanted to know of Malaysia's response to the Singapore claim, in the Lower House ofParlimen.
Rais said Singapore had acted unilaterally in the matter which, he added,was regrettable.
"In any situation, Singapore's claim for up to 12 nautical miles of regional waters as well as an EEZ for Batu Puteh was unreasonable and went contrary tointernational law," he said.
On May 23, the ICJ awarded Batu Puteh to Singapore and another outcrop, Middle Rocks, to Malaysia and ruled that a third, South Ledge, belonged to thecountry in whose territory it was located.
At a news conference later, Dr Rais said the Cabinet decided last week to exercise Malaysia's sovereignty over Middle Rocks and South Ledge, meaning the"Jalur Gemilang" Malaysian flag would be flown on the two outcrops.
"Furthermore, the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee wouldcontinue with its work," he said.
He said the committee would carry out mapping and hydrographic survey, and determine common territorial waters to facilitate shipping routes, among otherthings.
