INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION OF THE JUDGMENT OF 23MAY 2008 IN THE CASE
CONCERNING SOVEREIGNTY OVER PEDRA BRANCA/PULAU BATU PUTEH,MIDDLE
ROCKS AND SOUTH LEDGE (MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE) (MALAYSIA V. SINGAPORE)
WRITTEN OBSERVATIONS OF
THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
VOLUME 2
( Annexes 1 to 26 )
30 OCTOBER 2017
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LIST OF ANNEXES
(VOLUME 2)
Number Description Annexes
Page No.
Annex 1 Meeting between Malaysia and Singapore on Pedra
Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South
Ledge, 16 May 2008, Putrajaya, Record of Meeting
A3
Annex 2 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Statement,
International Court of Justice Awards Sovereignty of
Pedra Branca to Singapore, dated 23 May 2008
A13
Annex 3 Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri
Utama Dr Rais Yatim to RTM on the Verdict by the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Pulau Batu
Puteh Case, 23 May 2008
A17
Annex 4 Report dated 23 May 2008 by Berita Nasional
Malaysia (Bernama), “ICJ Verdict a “Win-Win”
Outcome for M’sia and S’pore, says Rais”
A23
Annex 5 Report dated 23 May 2008 by Berita Nasional
Malaysia (Bernama), “Malaysia Needs to Prepare to
Implement ICJ Decisions”
A27
Annex 6 Report dated 23 May 2008 by Berita Nasional
Malaysia (Bernama), “Msia Loses Batu Puteh Not Due
to Weak Arguments, says Rais”
A31
Annex 7 Report dated 24 May 2008 by The Star, “A sad
Abdullah accepts ICJ ruling”
A35
Annex 8 Report dated 24 May 2008 by New Straits Times,
“1953 Johor letter ‘hands’ island to Singapore (HL)”
A39
Annex 9 Report dated 24 May 2008 by Berita Nasional
Malaysia (Bernama), “Singapore Urged to Consider
Fishermen at Pulau Batu Puteh”
A43
Annex 10 Transcript of doorstop interview with Singapore’s
Foreign Minister, George Yeo, and Malaysia’s Foreign
Minister, Dr Rais Yatim, on 25 May 2008 at Yangon
A47
Annex 11 Report dated 25 May 2008 by New Straits Times,
“Doing it the Asean way”
A51
Annex 12 Report dated 25 May 2008 by The Star, “Don’t go to
Middle Rocks yet, police warn Malaysians”
A55
Annex 13 Report dated 26 May 2008 by The Star, “Keep off
Middle Rocks”
A59
Annex 14 Report dated 26 May 2008 by New Straits Times, “Call
for joint maritime patrols”
A63
Annex 15 Letter from Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien
Loong, to Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi, dated 26 May 2008
A67
Annex 16 Transcript of RTM1 programme, “Rancangan
Bersemuka Dengan Media: Isu Semasa & Polisi Luar
Negara” (translated into English as: “Face to Face with
the Media: Current Issues and Foreign Policy”),
broadcast on Radio Television Malaysia on 28 May
2008, and English translation provided by Singapore,
as well as screen capture of webpage containing links
to video files on the official website of Malaysia’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A71
Annex 17 Report dated 3 June 2008 by The Star, “Time to move
on after decision”
A113
Annex 18 Meeting between Malaysia and the Republic of
Singapore on the Implementation of the International
Court of Justice Judgment on Pedra Branca, Middle
Rocks and South Ledge, 3 June 2008, Singapore,
Record of Meeting
A117
Annex 19 Report dated 3 June 2008 by The Star, “Proposal on
Middle Rocks just a suggestion, says Rais”
A132
Annex 20 Report dated 4 June 2008 by New Straits Times, “New
dimension to Middle Rocks”
A137
Annex 21 Second Joint Technical Committee Meeting between
Malaysia and Singapore on the Implementation of the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judgment on
Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge,
Putrajaya, 20 August 2008, Record of Meeting
A141
Annex 22 Letter from Singapore’s Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peter Ho, to Malaysia’s
Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Rastam Mohd Isa, dated 22 August 2008
A209
Annex 23 Diplomatic note from Singapore to Malaysia,
MFA/SEA/00025/2008, dated 23 August 2008
A213
Annex 24 Letter from Malaysia’s Secretary General, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Rastam Mohd Isa, to Singapore’s
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Peter Ho, dated 29 August 2008
A217
Annex 25 Joint Press Statement by Malaysia’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, “Joint Press Statement: The Second Malaysia-
Singapore Joint Technical Committee (MSJTC)
Meeting on the Implementation of the International
Court of Justice Judgment on Pedra Branca, Middle
Rocks and South Ledge”, dated 1 September 2008
A221
Annex 26 Third Sub-Committee Meeting on the Joint Survey
Works in and around Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and
South Ledge, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11-12
September 2008, Record of Discussion
A225
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Annex 1
Meeting between Malaysia and Singapore on Pedra Branca/Pulau
Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, 16 May 2008, Putrajaya,
Record of Meeting
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Annex 2
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Statement, International Court of
Justice Awards Sovereignty of Pedra Branca to Singapore, dated 23
May 2008
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Annex 3
Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Dr Rais
Yatim to RTM on the Verdict by the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) on the Pulau Batu Puteh Case, 23 May 2008
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STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
DATO' SERI UTAMA DR RAIS YATIM TO RTM
ON THE VERDICT BY THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ)
ON THE PULAU BATU PUTEH CASE, 23 MAY 2008
The verdict by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) this morning has given rise to a
"win-win" situation for both sides.
At one level, it was decided by the ICJ based on historical facts; the facts of
international law; the effects of administrative acts and other matters related to the
claim on Pulau Batu Puteh; that the sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh is to be
awarded to the Republic of Singapore. At the same time however the ICJ awarded
sovereignty over Middle Rocks to Malaysia, which represents a victory for our country.
Relating to South Ledge, the Court ruled that its sovereignty is dependent on the State
in which the territorial waters are located. Since South Ledge is within the territorial
waters of Middle Rocks, Malaysia appears to be the sovereign holder.
Therefore, the conclusion is that this is a "win-win" situation. The explanations given
by the ICJ are being examined by both sides, and as I have earlier mentioned, this
decision will be dependent on our follow-up action to create a technical committee for
both countries. Our follow-up action will be announced later by both sides via the
committee, once the committee has completed its study on the matter.
What's important to note is that the explanation given by the ICJ in its decision to
award sovereignty was based on the fact that beginning from 1850 until 1953,
Malaysia did not, in terms of evidence, effect any actions or grounds which can be
accepted as proof of sovereignty, be it in terms of occupation, conducting checks or
supervision activities on Pulau Batu Puteh.
Secondly, the Court also emphasised that the map drawn up and produced by
Malaysia in 1962, 1965, 1974 and 1975 had actually reflected on Singapore's claim.
Thirdly, the letter by the officer representing the Johor State Secretary in 1953 was
regarded by the Court as proof that there was a handover of power and sovereignty
over the island.
The Court, employing a different concept, meanwhile determined that the sovereignty
over Middle Rocks belongs to Malaysia. With this decision by the ICJ, Malaysia can
from now enforce any of its sovereign rights towards Middle Rocks, including
occupying the island, allowing fishing, research, weather forecasting and other
activities. South Ledge is meanwhile now in Malaysian territorial waters.
Dato' Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia
23 May 2008
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KENYATAAN MENTERI LUAR NEGERI
YB DATO' SERI UTAMA DR RAIS YATIM KEPADA RTM
MENGENAI KEPUTUSAN MAHKAMAH KEADILAN ANTARABANGSA (ICJ)
TERHADAP PULAU BATU PUTEH, 23 MEI 2008
Keputusan Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) pada pagi ini telah memberi
kedudukan "menang-menang" kepada kedua-dua belah pihak, atau "win-win"
situation.
Pada satu peringkat, diputuskan oleh ICJ bahawa berdasarkan pada fakta-fakta
sejarah serta fakta-fakta perundangan antarabangsa dan kesan-kesan pentadbiran
serta lain-lain hal yang berkaitan dengan tuntutan kepada Pulau Batu Puteh, maka
mahkamah telah memutuskan untuk memberi kedaulatan kepada Republik
Singapura. Tetapi pada masa yang sama, Pulau Middle Rocks adalah diberi milik
kedaulatannya kepada Malaysia, dan ini merupakan satu kemenangan kepada
Malaysia jua.
Berkaitan dengan South Ledge, mahkamah menentukan bahawa kedaulatannya
adalah tertakluk kepada perairan yang dimiliki oleh sesuatu negara atau "territorial
waters". Oleh kerana South Ledge adalah terletak di dalam kawasan perairan Middle
Rocks, maka Malaysia nampaknya adalah pemegang kedaulatannya.
Jadi kesimpulannya ialah bahawa ini adalah "win-win" situation. Alasan-alasan yang
diberikan ICJ sedang dikaji oleh kedua pihak, dan seperti mana saya umumkan
tempoh hari, keputusan ini akan ditakluki kepada tindakan susulan kita mewujudkan
jawatankuasa teknikal bagi kedua-dua negara. Tindakan yang akan kita lanjutkan
nanti akan diumumkan oleh kedua-dua pihak melalui jawatankuasa tersebut setelah
penelitian dilakukan.
Yang penting diketahui adalah bahawa alasan-alasan yang dberi oleh ICJ yang
memberikan kedaulatan Pulau Batu Puteh adalah berasakan kepada fakta bahawa
mulai daripada tahun 1850 hingga kepada tahun 1953, Malaysia tidak ada, dari segi
bukti, menentukan apa-apa kegiatan ataupun lunas yang boleh diterima sebagai bukti
kedaulatan samada dari aspek kependudukan, pemeriksaan ataupun penyeliaan ke
atas Pulau Batu Puteh.
Keduanya, mahkamah juga menegaskan bahawa peta yang ditera dan diperbuat oleh
Malaysia pada tahun 1962, 1965, 1974 dan 1975, sesungguhnya mencerminkan
tuntutan Singapura.
Yang ketiga adalah surat pegawai yang mewakili Setiausaha Kerajaan negeri Johor
pada tahun 1953 itu dianggap oleh mahkamah sebagai bukti bahawa berlaku
penyerahan kuasa serta kedaulatan pulau tersebut.
Dalam konsep yang agak berlainan pula mahkamah menentukan bahawa Middle
Rocks adalah hakmilik Malaysia dan kedaulatannya ada pada Malaysia. Dengan
keputusan ICJ ini, Malaysia, mulai sekarang, bolehlah menguatkuasakan apa-apa
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hak-hak kedaulatannya terhadap Middle Rocks, termasuk mendudukinya,
membenarkan aktiviti perikanan, penyelidikan, kajian cuaca, dan lain-lain lagi. South
Ledge pula sekarang berada di dalam kawasan perairan Malaysia.
Dato' Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim
Menteri Luar Negeri
23 Mei 2008
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Annex 4
Report dated 23 May 2008 by Berita Nasional Malaysia (Bernama),
“ICJ Verdict a “Win-Win” Outcome for M’sia and S’pore, says Rais”
(last accessed: 12 October 2017, via www.lexisnexis.com)
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Malaysia General News
May 23, 2008 Friday
ICJ VERDICT A "WIN-WIN" OUTCOME FOR M'SIA AND S'PORE, SAYS
RAIS
LENGTH: 420 words
DATELINE: KUALA LUMPUR May 23
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim today described as a "win-win" outcome for both Malaysia and
Singapore in the split decision of the International Court Of Justice (ICJ) to award Pulau Batu Puteh to
Singapore and Middle Rocks to Malaysia. Speaking to reporters outside the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands,
Rais said although the sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh went to Singapore, it was important to note that the
sovereignty over Middle Rocks was given to Malaysia. "This morning's decision (Netherlands' time) is a "winwin"
outcome to both sides. The ICJ decided based on historical facts and international law as well as
administrative implications and other related matters. "...the court decided to award sovereignty to Simgapore
but at the same time awarded sovereignty over Middle Rocks to Malaysia. This is a victory for Malaysia as
well," he said. On South Ledge, Dr Rais said the court said its sovereignty was subject to its location in the
territorial waters of the country concerned. "This may be an issue which has to be taken up together by
Singapore and Malaysia to determine the sovereignty status of the island," he said in an interview televised live
by RTM from The Hague.
Rais said both sides were examining the grounds given by the court for the decision handed down today.
"Hence, the conclusion in this morning's verdict is a win-win outcome for the claim," he said. Pursuant to the
decision, he said, both sides would set up a committee and future announcements would be made through the
panel. Rais said the grounds given by the ICJ in awarding sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore was
based on the fact that between 1850 and 1953, there was no evidence to show that Malaysia had carried out
any activity or anything that could be accepted as proof of sovereignty by way of occupation, administration or
supervision of Pulau Batu Puteh. "The court also said the map drawn up by Malaysia actually reflected matters
which were related to Singapore's claim that the island and the lighthouse on it, the Horsburgh Lighthouse,
belonged to Singapore.
He said the court had considered a letter of 1953 by an officer who represented the state secretary of Johor as
proof of surrendering authority and sovereignty over the island. "Other claims made by Singapore also
convinced the court that the sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh be handed to Singapore. "In a rather different
context, the court decided that the ownership and sovereignty of Middle Rocks belongs to Malaysia," he added.
LOAD-DATE: May 26, 2008
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newswire
Copyright 2008 Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia
All Rights Reserved
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Annex 5
Report dated 23 May 2008 by Berita Nasional Malaysia (Bernama),
“Malaysia Needs to Prepare to Implement ICJ Decisions”
(last accessed: 12 October 2017, via www.lexisnexis.com)
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Malaysia General News
May 23, 2008 Friday
MALAYSIA NEEDS TO PREPARE TO IMPLEMENT ICJ DECISIONS
LENGTH: 453 words
DATELINE: TOKYO May 23
Malaysia must make preparations to ensure that the decisions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on
Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge are implemented immediately, said Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi. The Prime Minister said Malaysia must also determine quickly the boundary line for South
Ledge in the Malaysian waters. "By doing so, it will determine that South Ledge is truly located in our waters,
and thus considered to belong to Malaysia," he said at a press conference here Friday after attending the 14th
Nikkei International Conference on Asia's Future. When asked whether Malaysia was confident of owning
South Ledge, the prime minister said: "What I have been told is that South Ledge is not too far from Middle
Rocks. Only 1.7 kilometres away. It's located within our territorial waters." He said this when commenting on
the decision of the ICJ in The Hague which stipulated that Singapore had sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh
while Malaysia was awarded sovereignty over Middle Rocks. Sovereignty over South Ledge will depend on
whose territorial waters it is located in.
Abdullah, who was saddened by the ICJ decision awarding sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore,
also expressed his appreciation as well as that of the government and all Malaysians to all Malaysian officers
and experts who had worked hard to prepare the case for hearing which had taken a long time. "I know that
they have worked very hard," he said. Abdullah also advised Malaysians to avoid any action that could create
conflicts or a situation that would pose difficulties to both countries. The prime minister said Malaysia
appreciated that the ICJ decision was based on facts and was made in a peaceful manner. "We did not win all,
nor did we lose all," he said. He said: "Although we are sad because we did not succeed, we must realise that
the decision was made by an international court. We must accept the court's fairness."
"We must be thankful that Middle Rocks belongs to us. What needs to be determined is South Ledge," he said.
He hoped that officers from both countries as well as mapping officers could determine the boundary based on
existing law. At the ministerial level, Abdullah said there was no necessity for him to meet the Singapore leader
on the case, "but Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim will meet his counterpart in Singapore to determine
the action to be taken by both parties." The prime minister said he would seek an audience with the Sultan of
Johor with regard to the decision, as well as Rais who would explain to the Sultan in more detail. On the
outstanding unresolved bilateral issues, he said both sides must continue to discuss them to arrive at a
solution.
LOAD-DATE: May 26, 2008
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newswire
Copyright 2008 Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia
All Rights Reserved
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Annex 6
Report dated 23 May 2008 by Berita Nasional Malaysia (Bernama),
“Malaysia Loses Batu Puteh Not Due to Weak Arguments”
(last accessed: 12 October 2017, via www.lexisnexis.com)
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Malaysia General News
May 23, 2008 Friday
MSIA LOSES PULAU BATU PUTEH NOT DUE TO WEAK ARGUMENTS,
SAYS RAIS
LENGTH: 641 words
THE HAGUE, May 23 (Bernama) - Malaysias failure to get sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh was not due to the
weakness of its arguments presented before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Foreign Minister Datuk
Seri Rais Yatim said Friday. "The fact that we have lost Pulau Batu Puteh is not due to the weakness of our
arguments but to the lack of exercise by the authorities (on that island) for some 100 years," he told Malaysian
journalists at the Malaysian embassy here. He said that what was important to note was that the explanation
given by the ICJ in its decision to award sovereignty was based on the fact that beginning from 1850 until 1953,
Malaysia did not, in terms of evidence, effect any action or grounds which could be accepted as proof of
sovereignty, be it in terms of occupation, conducting checks or supervision activities on Pulau Batu Puteh.
The Court had also emphasised that the map drawn up and produced by Malaysia in 1962, 1965, 1974 and
1975 had actually reflected on Singapore's claim, he said.
Rais said that another reason was the letter written by the Johor Acting State Secretary dated Sept 21, 1953
which the Court regarded as proof that there was a handover of power and sovereignty over the island.
The letter stated that "Johore Government (did) not claim ownership" of the island. Singapore had argued that
the letter had expressed disclaimer of title of Pulau Batu Puteh.
The letter was in response to an enquiry dated June 12, 1953 made on behalf of the Singapore Colonial
Secretary seeking to clarify the status of Pulau Batu Puteh, where a lighthouse had been built, with a view to
determining the "boundaries of the Colony's territorial waters".
Rais said that while Pulau Batu Puteh was the significant material where the Horsburgh Lighthouse had been
built and the administration done by Singapore, "we should also tell the public in Malaysia that we also won
Middle Rocks which is so close."
"Of course in terms of area we have less than what it is compared to Pulau Batu Puteh but nonetheless,
because of the adjacent position of these two units neither party can do any exercise of reclamation for
anything without consultations," he said
On the judgement he said: "We should not create commotion out of it because for the last two weeks we have
laid the ground for a peaceful solution. The fact that we have won half and Singapore half, this is to us
sufficient reward so far subject to our next negotiation on South Ledge," he said.
As for South Ledge, the joint technical committee set up by both countries would hold a meeting not later than
two weeks from today to lay down the principles and the steps ahead, Rais said.
He said the ICJ had ruled that sovereignty over South Ledge belongs to the state in the territorial waters of
which it is located and as such this had to be determined.
"What's important now is the bilateral relations between Malaysia and Singapore. This decision should not in
any way hinder us to go forward and reach out for those things that both of us have been wanting to," he said.
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Meanwhile, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Prof S. Jayakumar said the court had awarded sovereignty of
Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore, which is the most important feature.
He said that of course Singapore would be happier if the court decided that it has sovereignty over the island
and the two marine features but what important was that both countries have agreed to solve the dispute in an
amicable way.
Malaysia's Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the Malaysian team had put in good effort including
that relating to the 1953 letter. But unfortunately, he said, the ICJ found the letter was significant to the case.
Malaysia had argued during the oral submission from Nov 6 to 23 last year that the Acting Johor State
Secretary had no authority and capacity to issue the letter.
LOAD-DATE: May 26, 2008
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newswire
Copyright 2008 Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia
All Rights Reserved
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Annex 7
Report dated 24 May 2008 by The Star, “A sad Abdullah accepts ICJ
ruling”, available at: https://www.thestar.my/news/2008/05/24/a-sadabdullah-
accepts-icj-ruling/
(last accessed: 14 September 2017)
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Annex 8
Report dated 24 May 2008 by New Straits Times, “1953 Johor letter
‘hands’ island to Singapore (HL)”
(last accessed: 12 October 2017, via www.lexisnexis.com)
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New Straits Times (Malaysia)
May 24, 2008 Saturday
1953 Johor letter `hands' island to Singapore (HL)
SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 1
LENGTH: 241 words
THE International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday awarded Singapore sovereignty over the disputed Pulau
Batu Puteh located at the eastern entrance of the Singapore Straits.
The UN's highest court, however, gave Malaysia ownership of Middle Rocks, a smaller uninhabited
outcropping. Sovereignty over a third disputed cluster of rocks, South Ledge, is to be determined later by the
countries when they sort out their territorial waters.
Malaysia had disputed Singapore's rule of the 0.8-hectare (about the size of a football field) island listed on
most maps as Pedra Branca.
The 16-member court's final decision, by a 12-4 majority, rested largely on Singapore's consistent conduct over
the last 100 years.
Singapore had argued that it had exercised sovereign powers over the island since the Horsburgh lighthouse
opened in 1851, with no protest from Malaysia until 30 years ago.
The ICJ also noted that the strength of Singapore's claim lay in a letter sent by the state secretary of Johor in
1953 to the Singapore government where he informed that "the Johor government does not claim ownership of
Pedra Branca".
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim called it a "win-win" ruling since each side won a partial victory.
"Resolving such disputes through the rule of law," he said, "will make the world safer." He said the two
countries would establish a committee to determine ownership of South Ledge, which lies in overlapping
territorial waters.
LOAD-DATE: May 25, 2008
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newspaper
Copyright 2008 New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad
All Rights Reserved
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Annex 9
Report dated 24 May 2008 by Berita Nasional Malaysia (Bernama),
“Singapore Urged to Consider Fishermen at Pulau Batu Puteh”
(last accessed: 12 October 2017, via www.lexisnexis.com)
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Malaysia General News
May 24, 2008 Saturday
SINGAPORE URGED TO CONSIDER FISHERMEN AT PULAU BATU
PUTEH
LENGTH: 251 words
DATELINE: KUALA LUMPUR May 24
The Singapore Government has been urged to consider that Johoreans, especially fishermen, have been using
Pulau Batu Puteh for generations for transportation and fishing. International Trade and Industry Minister Tan
Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Malaysian Government hoped Singapore would take note of this and not
jeopardise the livelihood of the fishermen. "We hope that Singapore would understand that this matter is very
close to our heart, the Johoreans," he told reporters after giving a talk on Umno's code of ethics to the Federal
Territory Umno liaison committee here today. Muhyiddin was responding to a question on the decision by the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday which ruled that the disputed Pulau Batu Puteh belongs to
Singapore, while Malaysia owns Middle Rock. The ICJ ruled that South Ledge belonged to the country in
whose territorial waters the outcrop was located in.
Asked whether he agreed that the decision could be considered as a win-win situation for both countries,
Muhyiddin said, "For me, what is lost...is lost, we cannot say that we win...we have lost our territory." However,
Muhyiddin said Malaysians had to abide by the ICJ's decision as it was not appealable. He was also asked who
should be blamed for the loss of Pulau Batu Puteh. "I don't think we need to blame anybody on that, this is a
collective responsibility. "The matter has been decided by the Malaysian Government that the best option to
settle the matter is to refer it to the ICJ," he added.
LOAD-DATE: May 26, 2008
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newswire
Copyright 2008 Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia
All Rights Reserved
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Annex 10
Transcript of doorstop interview with Singapore’s Foreign Minister,
George Yeo, and Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Dr Rais Yatim, on
25 May 2008 at Yangon, available at:
https://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/media_centre/press_room/if/200
8/200805/infocus_20080526.html
(last accessed: 29 September 2017)
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9/29/2017 https://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/media_centre/press_room/if/2008/2008…
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May 26, 2008
Doorstop Interview with Minister George Yeo and Malaysian Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Ya
Annexes 1-26 - Volume 2