Sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh:

Opening speech by Malaysia's agent

OPENING SPEECH BY THE AGENT OF MALAYSIA, TAN SRI ABDUL KADIR MOHAMAD SOVEREIGNTY OVER PULAU BATU PUTEH/PEDRA BRANCA, MIDDLE ROCKS AND SOUTH LEDGE (MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE)

13 NOVEMBER 2007

1. Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Court, it is a great honour to appear before you, and to take this opportunity to explain why sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge belongs to Malaysia.

2. Mr. President, please allow me to thank the Agent of Singapore for his kind greetings to my colleagues on the Malaysian team and to me personally on the opening day of these proceedings. These greetings are fully reciprocated. Indeed, both of us have known each other for a long time, as members of the diplomatic service of our respective countries.

3. Mr. President, Malaysia and Singapore are two neighbouring countries in South-east Asia, which have mutually agreed to appear before this honourable Court to settle a dispute over the three features, located at the eastern entrance of the Singapore Straits, off the Malaysian Peninsula, as illustrated on the map that is now being displayed on the screen before the Court. You may also see it in tab No. 1 of your folders.

4. Pulau Batu Puteh and the two other features form part of the State of Johor, now part of Malaysia. The State of Johor has its origins in the ancient Sultanate of Johor. The current Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Ismail, is a direct descendant of one of the signatories to the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance between Johor and Great Britain of 2 August 1824, also known as the Crawfurd Treaty, in which part of the territory of the Sultanate was ceded to create Singapore. Singapore Island is nestled in the bottom of Peninsular Malaysia. At its closest point Singapore is only 600 meters from the Johor mainland. It is now shown on the screen and can be found in Tab No.2 in the Judges's Folders.

5. Singapore and Malaysia, together with Indonesia, today share the waters and management of the Malacca and Singapore Straits which link the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. Because of this geography, their genealogy and British colonial history, Singapore and Malaysia share much in common. The graphic now on the screen shows the Malacca and Singapore Straits. This will also be found in Tab No.3 of the Judges? Folders. This is a current navigational chart which is readily available in the public domain.

6. The details of how this dispute arose and the efforts of the parties to settle it will be described to you by the Attorney-General of Malaysia later this morning.

7. But before looking at how, the Court may wonder why: why would two responsible States be in such an acute and extended disagreement about sovereignty over such small maritime features?

8.. Last week, the Court heard many arguments advanced in many ways by Singapore to support its claim of sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge. But all these cannot hide the fact that Singapore is seeking to subvert the arrangements reached between Johor and Great Britain over 150 years ago and maintained throughout the whole period of British rule. In its written pleadings. Malaysia has provided evidence that Johor had given permission that Great Britain could build and operate a lighthouse on one of Johor?s islands. Pulau Batu Puteh was selected as the site. Great Britain and then Singapore have operated the lighthouse ever since. Singapore is now present on the island, as was Great Britain before it, with Johor?s consent. Therefore it matters a great deal to Malaysia when Singapore claims sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, simply because it has been running a lighthouse on it with our consent.

9. Singapore?s claim also ignores the territorial agreements in the area reached in 1824, namely the Anglo-Dutch Treaty between Britain and the Netherlands of 17 March 1824, and the treaty which created the colony of Singapore, the Crawfurd Treaty of 2 August 1824.

10. Despite their extremely small size, the issue of sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh and the other two maritime features is important. Not only does it have implications for the territorial and maritime stability of the Straits but the long-established arrangement is important to the continued cooperative management of navigational aids, marine environmental protection and safety matters in the Straits.

Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Court,

11. Malaysia?s case is clear and finds full support in the evidence.

12. As Malaysia has shown in her written submissions, Pulau Batu Puteh was not terra nullius in 1847. It was not terra nullius in 1851, when the East India Company completed the construction of Horsburgh Lighthouse on the island. Pulau Batu Puteh was part of the ancient Sultanate of Johor, and when the Sultanate divided in two after the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 it remained part of the Sultanate of Johor rather than that of Riau-Lingga.

13. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty established that the division between the British and Dutch spheres of influence would run to the south of the Straits of Singapore. This placed Pulau Batu Puteh in the British sphere of influence and in that part of Johor which continued to be known as the Sultanate of Johor. The division between the British and Dutch spheres is now illustrated on the screen, as well as in Tab No. 4 in the Judges? Folders. Last week, Singapore sought to present a new interpretation of the dividing line. Tomorrow, Professor Schrijver will explain why the new Singapore interpretation is wrong.

14. In the Crawfurd Treaty of 1824, Johor transferred sovereignty over Singapore Island to the East India Company together with islets and rocks within 10 geographical miles of Singapore. Pulau Batu Puteh is 25.5 nautical miles away from Singapore.

15. In 1851, with the permission of Johor, the Horsburgh Lighthouse was built on Pulau Batu Puteh by the East India Company. The permission was given by the Temenggong and Sultan of Johor on 25 November 1844, for the building and operation of a lighthouse "near Point Romania" or "any spot deemed eligible". As you can see on the graphic that is now displayed on the screen (and in Tab 5 of your folders), Pulau Batu Puteh is near Point Romania.

16. Pulau Batu Puteh was certainly an "eligible spot" because of the difficulties of navigating the waters at the eastern entrance to the Straits. In fact, Pulau Batu Puteh was the location of choice of the merchant subscribers when they began collecting funds for a lighthouse in 1836.

17 It is on the basis of the consent of the Temenggong and Sultan of Johor that Great Britain built and then operated the Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pulau Batu Puteh.

18. Tomorrow, Professor Kohen will analyse the letters of permission written by the Temenggong and the Sultan of Johor on 25 November 1844. Malaysia has not been able to trace the letter of request from Governor Butterworth which was referred to in the letters of permission. In 1994, Malaysia requested Singapore to furnish a copy of the Governor?s letter if Singapore had such a copy in their possession. Singapore did not respond to Malaysia?s request. If this letter exists today it is likely that it is in Singapore?s archives in the file entitled "Letters to Native Rulers". Unfortunately, Malaysia does not have access to these archives.

19. Between 1850 and 1946, the Straits Lights system was developed by Britain to aid navigation through the length of the Malacca and Singapore Straits. The graphic now on the screen and located at Tab No. 6 in the Judges? Folders, shows the lights in the Straits Lights system, including the names of the various lighthouses. This was the list which appeared in the 1912 Ordinance of the Colony of Singapore which abolished light dues.

20. The Straits Lights system, including Horsburgh Lighthouse, was administered by the Straits Settlements. Each lighthouse was operated from one of the three stations in Singapore, Penang or Malacca. From 1912, the Federated Malay States contributed to the running costs of the Straits Lights when they stopped being funded by the collection of lights dues. But the Straits Settlements kept maintaining the lights because they had the necessary expertise.

21. In 1946, when the Straits Settlements was dissolved and the Colony of Singapore and the Malayan Union created, the Straits Lights system ceased to be run as a single system. However, the lighthouses continued to be operated from their original stations in the former Straits Settlements. Pulau Pisang and Horsburgh lighthouses continued to be run from Singapore, and the others, such as Pulau Undan, Cape Rachado, Muka Head and Pulau Rimau, were run from their stations in Malacca and Penang both of which in 1946 formed part of the Malayan Union, and are now part of Malaysia.

22. Today, Horsburgh Lighthouse and Pulau Pisang Lighthouse continue to be run from Singapore, the others from Malaysia. Nothing has changed.

23. The authorities in Singapore simply picked up where the British left off, as did the authorities in Penang and Malacca. The arrangement has worked for over 150 years.

24. The cooperation between the States which later became Malaysia and Singapore was not limited to cooperation in the building of lighthouses and navigational aids.

25. Let me take the example of the Royal Malaysian Navy, previously referred to as the Malayan Naval Force. It had responsibilities for Singapore until 1975 when Singapore established its own navy. The Royal Malaysian Navy continued to operate primarily from the Woodlands base in Singapore until the early 1980s, and only handed over the Woodlands base to Singapore in 1997.

26. Before and after the creation of the Singapore Navy, British and then Malaysian naval forces patrolled the waters of the Straits, including the area of Pulau Batu Puteh.

27. Such cooperative arrangements - and there are many others, for example in the field of communications and water supply - reflect not only our close historical ties but our ongoing rights and obligations as the littoral States of the Malacca and Singapore Straits.

28. Malaysia and Singapore, together with Indonesia, have cooperated for over 30 years in the management of the Straits. On 16 November 1971, all three countries joined forces to adopt a common position on matters relating to the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and created the Tripartite Technical Experts Group on Safety of Navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This forum meets annually to discuss technical issues relating to the safety of navigation in the Straits.

29. Horsburgh Lighthouse and its facilities form part of the multilateral regime for the safety of navigation in the Straits, just as it was a key light in the Straits Lights system in the 1850s until 1946.

30. With traffic in the Straits expected to increase from 94,000 vessels in 2004 to 141,000 in 2020, the safety of navigation, maritime security and protection of the marine environment are key. Ongoing cooperation in the Straits between the three littoral States is crucial.

Mr. President, Members of the Court:

31. Singapore now seeks to disrupt the long established arrangements in the Straits.

32. Singapore wants to radically change the basis on which it acquired the lighthouse on Pulau Batu Puteh, and the character of its presence on the island.

33. Singapore is endeavouring to create for itself a maritime domain which is a far cry from the basis of its presence on Pulau Batu Puteh as lighthouse administrator.

34. Singapore?s presence on Pulau Batu Puteh as lighthouse operator never extended to issues concerning the territorial waters or the continental shelf around Pulau Batu Puteh. In 1969 Malaysia enacted legislation which extended its territorial sea from 3 to 12 nautical miles. Singapore did not protest. Later in 1969 an Agreement was reached between Malaysia and Indonesia in relation to the Continental Shelf. The delimitation line agreed between Malaysia and Indonesia in 1969 is shown in the map now on the screen. The same graphic is provided as Tab No. 8 in the Judge?s Folders.

35. As you can see, the delimitation line approached the vicinity of Pulau Batu Puteh closely and Point 11 is just 6.4 nautical miles from Pulau Batu Puteh. Singapore at no time asserted any interest, raised any objection or reserved its position. Neither did Singapore delimit the area around Pulau Batu Puteh or reserve its position in that area of the Straits in the Territorial Sea Boundary agreement it concluded with Indonesia in 1973.

36. Singapore?s claim not only upsets the existing arrangements in this way, but raises the question of what it wants to do with the island. In its pleadings Singapore has relied on a reclamation proposal around Pulau Batu Puteh. An internal document, a 1978 Tender Evaluation Report, shows a prospective artificial island of 5,000 sq meters towards Middle Rock. This is not fanciful conjecture. Singapore has an extremely active reclamation policy, which was the subject of the Reclamation Case instituted by Malaysia against Singapore in ITLOS in September 2003. The Provisional Measures Order given by that Tribunal in October 2003 will be known to the Court, as well as the subsequent amicable settlement of that case.

37. But Singapore does not need a bigger island for a better lighthouse. What does it need a bigger island for? Quite apart from the possible effects on environment and navigation in the Straits, this could lead to potentially serious changes to the security arrangements in the eastern entrance to the Straits. In fact, the aggressive methods Singapore has used to assert its claim to Pulau Batu Puteh have already led to regrettable - although not irreversible - changes to the stable conditions in the area.

38. In 1986, well after the critical date, Singapore sent its naval vessels to Pulau Batu Puteh, and has since then maintained a permanent, 24-hour guard around Pulau Batu Puteh. This has created tension and danger. Johor fishermen have been chased away by Singapore forces from their traditional fishing waters and sheltering spots around Pulau Batu Puteh. Malaysian officials and naval vessels cannot go anywhere near Pulau Batu Puteh without being physically challenged by Singapore naval vessels. In response to Singapore?s actions, Malaysia has chosen to adopt a policy of non-confrontation and to act in a peaceful manner while this dispute is in the process of being settled. We have now learned through its pleadings that Singapore placed military communications equipment on Pulau Batu Puteh in May 1977, which we were not previously aware of and which causes us grave concern. This conduct does not fall within the consent given for the construction and operation of the lighthouse.

39. Great Britain and Singapore?s conduct in respect of Pulau Batu Puteh before the critical date, at least that which was known to Malaysia, was entirely consistent with being the operator of the lighthouses on Pulau Batu Puteh and Pulau Pisang with the consent of the sovereign, Johor.

40. Malaysia, by contrast, has always respected the long-standing arrangements for Singapore?s operation of the lighthouses on Pulau Batu Puteh and Pulau Pisang. We have not interfered with Singapore?s operation of the lighthouses.

41. But Malaysia does not wish the stability of its relationship with Indonesia altered. Yet this would inevitably follow if Singapore were to be treated as sovereign over Pulau Batu Puteh with attendant implications for established maritime delimitation in the area.

42. Malaysia respectfully requests the Court to bear in mind these important considerations and, accordingly, to reaffirm Malaysia?s title to Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.

43. Mr President and distinguished members of the Court, before ending my submission, I would like to clarify one point. Our problem is with Singapore as a military presence on one of Johor?s islands in the eastern entrance of the Singapore Straits. We have no problem with Singapore as the operator of Horsburgh Lighthouse. Malaysia wishes to maintain the peaceful and stable conditions at the entrance to the South China Sea. It is Singapore which is seeking to change the situation. The Sultan and Temenggong of Johor, in 1844, gladly consented to the establishment of the lighthouse on Pulau Batu Puteh, and Malaysia has never suggested that its continued operation by Singapore presented any problem. I repeat, Malaysia has always respected the position of Singapore as the operator of Horsburgh Lighthouse and I would like to place formally on record that Malaysia will continue to do so. Malaysia?s concern is quite different, as I have indicated.

44. Mr. President, I wish to conclude here. After this, my colleague the Co-Agent will describe to you the Sultanate of Johor?s geographical make-up, the political events which shaped its territory, and Pulau Batu Puteh?s social and economic place in Johor and Malaysia.

45. Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Court, I thank you and would ask you now to call on the Co-Agent of Malaysia, Her Excellency Noor Farida Ariffin - The New Straits Time

Malaysia's turn to present case on islands today

THE HAGUE: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear Malaysia's oral arguments on the dispute over the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh, the Middle Rocks and South Ledge, today.

On Friday, Singapore completed the first round of its four-day oral arguments. Malaysia has also been given four days for the first round of its oral presentation.

Malaysia's head of delegation Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Mohamad, who is Malaysia's agent for the case, will present the opening statement before the court. Abdul Kadir is Ambassador at Large and also the Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs.

Co-agent Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, the Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will also make oral submissions.

The court is scheduled to sit at 10am (5pm Malaysian time).

Malaysia is requesting the ICJ to adjudge and declare that the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh and the two marine features belong to Malaysia.

In its memorial submitted to the court, among other things Malaysia said that Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, and other islands in and around the Singapore strait were part of the Sultanate of Johor before 1824.

This was unaffected by the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, which concerned only islands and territories to the south of the strait, it said in the memorial.

Malaysia said in its written submission that its sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge are also based on the fact that neither Britain nor Singapore ever claimed sovereignty over the three features at any time prior to the critical dates in relation to the present dispute (1980 in the case of Pulau Batu Puteh and 1993 in the case of the other two features).

On the other hand, it said Singapore's legislation and treaty practice, its publications and maps as well as statements by knowledgeable Singapore officials all confirmed that the three features were not territories of Singapore, and were not administered as part of the territory of Singapore.

Singapore, in its memorial, claimed that the title to Pedra Branca (Singapore's name for Pulau Batu Puteh) already vested in the British Crown and subsequently in Singapore as the result of official actions that took place on the island in the period 1847-1851.

It contended that during this period, the British Crown acquired the title to Pulau Batu Puteh when it took lawful possession of the island and completed the erection of the Horsburgh Lighthouse - Bernama

Safeguard Our Sovereignty (SOS)

S'pore: Ex-Johor officer disclaimed sovereignty

V. Anbalagan reporting from The Hague

SINGAPORE claims that a senior Johor government officer had written to the British in Singapore disclaiming sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh.

Professor Alain Pellet, representing Singapore at the International Court of Justice, claimed a former acting state secretary of Johor in a letter on Sept 21, 1953 to the colonial secretary had stated that the Johor government does not claim ownership of Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh.

Pellet was submitting on the territorial dispute over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge between Malaysia and Singapore.

He said the letter from the officer to the colonial secretary showed that Johor never had a claim on Pulau Batu Puteh.

Pellet said the letter amounted to an unequivocal recognition of Singapore's title over Pulau Batu Puteh.

The 1953 correspondence came about when the British wanted to "determine the status of Pedra Branca" with a view to determine the boundaries of the colony's territorial waters.

This led to the Johor authorities being approached for enquiry, he said.

Another counsel, Rodman R. Bundy, said the British did not enter into an agreement with the Johor ruler before it built the Horsburgh lighthouse on the island between 1847 and 1851.

"The ruler did not mention Pedra Branca when the British were negotiating on the terms of agreement to build a lighthouse on Pulau Aur in 1900."

He said Malaysia was unable to produce the written agreement between Johor and the British on the construction of the lighthouse in Pulau Batu Puteh, unlike Pulau Aur and Cape Ricardo.

He said in 1952 Malaya wanted to fund the management of Pulau Pisang, Pulau Aur and Cape Ricardo lighthouses and yet there was no mention of Pulau Batu Puteh.

Counsel Loretta Malintoppi said six maps published by the Malaysian authorities between 1962 and 1975 placed Pedra Branca as a sovereign of Singapore.

Malaysia's case rests on the premise that Pedra Branca was part of the Johor Sultanate while Singapore asserts that the island was no man's land before the British acquired it to build a lighthouse for navigational purpose.

The island republic's legal team yesterday completed their first round of argument after four days of submission.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, in his concluding remarks, said in international law, one could acquire a sovereign title after carrying out a series of acts on a disputed territory.

He said the British acquired the island for a sovereign purpose and Singapore, the successor to the title, continued with the lighthouse activities and maintained peace and order on the island.

He said Malaysia first made a claim in 1979, after 130 years of silence and non-conduct.

"Certainly, it is very clear Singapore was in possession of Pedra Branca and the two adjacent features," he said, adding even the Dutch recognised the British authority over it after 1851.

Foreign Ministry ambassador-at-large Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Mohamad will make his opening statement on Tuesday, outlining Malaysia's argument that Pulau Batu Puteh and the two features were always part of her territory.

Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Datuk Noor Faridah Ariffin and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will also speak on that day to entrench Malaysia's case - The New Straits Time

Singapore had 'control of island since 1851'

By : V. Anbalagan reporting from The Hague

SINGAPORE has had total control over Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh) since 1851, the International Court of Justice heard yesterday.

Rodman R. Bundy, a counsel appearing for Singapore, said the British took possession of the island between 1847 and 1851 and constructed the Horsburgh lighthouse.

Thereafter, Singapore, was open on the activities on the island which confirmed their ownership, including its territorial waters.

He said none of these activities drew protests from Malaysia.

"Singapore has exercised regulatory authority and jurisdiction over personnel residing on the island, maintaining peace and good order," he said.

"The island is used as a meteorological data collection station and Singapore has exclusive control over visits by third parties to Pedra Branca.

"She had also investigated navigational hazards and ship wrecks in the territorial waters of Pedra Branca and considered sea reclamation works to extend the island."

He said the Singapore flag had been raised for more than 150 years on the island but drew no protest from Malaysia, unlike the 1968 incident at the nearby Pulau Pisang, where the flag was eventually brought down.

He said Malaysia's inaction confirmed its earlier decision that it had disclaimed ownership of the Pedra Branca in 1953.

Bundy was submitting on the territorial dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over Pulau Batu Puteh and the adjacent features of Little Rocks and South Ledge.

Both countries are asking the court to decide on the sovereignty of the island.

Professor Alain Pellet, who is also representing Singapore, told the panel of 16 judges that it was impossible for Malaysia to find evidence or confirmation that ownership of the island belonged to Johor.

"None of the documents produced could convince the court that Johor had the original title over Pedra Branca."

Malaysia in its written submission asserts that:

* Pulau Batu Puteh, the two features and other islands in and around the Singapore Strait were part of the Johor Sultanate before 1824.

* The Anglo-Dutch treaty of 1824 had no effect on the sultanate as the agreement only covered islands and territories to the south of the strait.

* Neither Great Britain nor Singapore ever claimed sovereignty over the three features at any time prior to the critical dates in relation to the present dispute (1980 as in the case of Pulau Batu Puteh and 1993 in the case of Little Rocks and South Ledge), and;

* Singapore's legislation and treaty practice, its publications and maps as well as statements by the island republic's officials all confirmed that the three features were not territories of Singapore - The New Straits Time

Surat balasan istana jadi tumpuan

Daripada Noraini Abd. Razak

THE HAGUE, Belanda 7 Nov. – Surat balasan Sultan dan Temenggung Johor bertarikh 25 November 1844 yang memberi kebenaran kepada British untuk membina sebuah rumah api di sebuah pulau milik kerajaan Johor menjadi antara tumpuan Singapura pada hari kedua persidangan kes tuntutan bertindih Pulau Batu Putih di Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) di sini.

Alen Pallet yang bertindak sebagai ejen bersama Singapura mendakwa, isi kandungan surat itu langsung tidak menamakan secara khusus Pulau Batu Putih sebagai tempat yang diizinkan kepada British untuk membina rumah api.

Bekas Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Undang-Undang Antarabangsa Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu itu memberitahu mahkamah, surat tersebut juga hanya menyebut sebuah rumah api sambil mendakwa ia tidak merujuk kepada rumah api Horsburgh yang dibina oleh British di Pulau Batu Putih pada 1847.

Sehubungan itu, beliau melihat, Malaysia gagal membuktikan surat balasan Sultan dan Temenggung Johor memberi kebenaran kepada British membina sebuah rumah api sebagai bukti bahawa Pulau Batu Putih adalah terletak di bawah kerajaan Johor.

Surat tersebut juga dakwa Pallet, langsung tidak menunjukkan bahawa Johor mempunyai sebarang kuasa ke atas Pulau Batu Putih kerana ia secara jelas tidak menamakan pulau itu.

Beliau berhujah lagi, ketiadaan surat permohonan di pihak British kepada Sultan dan Temenggung untuk tujuan tersebut juga menimbulkan tanda tanya mengenai kawasan sebenar yang dipohon oleh British untuk dibina sebuah rumah api tersebut.

Katanya, walaupun surat balasan itu menunjukkan bahawa permohonan British melibatkan sebuah pulau di bawah kerajaan Johor namun jawapan oleh Sultan dan Temenggung Johor amat kabur dan gagal mengaitkannya dengan Pulau Batu Putih.

“Kebenaran (untuk membina rumah api) itu adalah bagi mana-mana kawasan di bawah pentadbiran Johor, boleh jadi Pulau Romania atau Pulau Mungging tetapi ia bukan Pulau Batu Putih,” katanya.

Profesor di University of Paris X-Nanterre itu mendakwa, pemilihan Pulau Batu Putih hanya dibuat dua tahun selepas tarikh surat balasan iaitu apabila Gabenor Butterworth menukar fikirannya.

Beliau mendakwa, pemilihan Pulau Batu Putih sebagai tapak Rumah Api Horsburgh bukan bertolak daripada surat kebenaran Sultan dan Temenggung Johor itu malah keputusan tersebut langsung tidak merujuk kepada surat balasan tersebut.

Justeru, Pallet mendakwa, penyerahan surat tersebut dalam memorial Malaysia bagi menyokong tuntutan bertindih ke atas Pulau Batu Putih tidak boleh dijadikan bukti bahawa pulau tersebut adalah milik Johor.

Pallet turut membangkitkan isu lawatan Temenggong Johor ke Pulau Batu Putih dua hari selepas upacara perasmian Rumah Api Horsburgh yang didakwanya amat jelas menunjukkan bahawa pulau itu bukan milik Johor.

Beliau memberitahu mahkamah, tatacara kedatangan Temenggong Johor ke Pulau Batu Putih itu menunjukkan beliau tidak dijemput oleh British pada hari perasmian sekali gus membuktikan bahawa Kesultanan Johor tidak mempunyai kuasa ke atas pulau tersebut.

Selain itu, Pallet berhujah, dakwaan Malaysia bahawa kehadiran orang laut (yang mempunyai kaitan dengan Temenggung) sebagai nelayan di Pulau Batu Putih juga tidak membuktikan bahawa Johor memiliki pulau tersebut.

Turut membentangkan hujah-hujah bagi pihak Singapura hari ini ialah Rodman R. Bundy. Singapura mempunyai dua hari lagi untuk mengemukakan hujah-hujah lisan pada pusingan pertama.

Perbicaraan berlangsung di Peace Palace di hadapan Naib Presiden ICJ, Hakim Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh.

Delegasi Malaysia diketuai oleh Penasihat Hal Ehwal Luar kepada Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Mohamad manakala Duta Malaysia ke Belanda, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin bertindak sebagai wakil bersama. Turut tersenarai Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail - Utusan Malaysia

Hearing on 28-year Pulau Batu Puteh dispute begins

RESOLUTION of a 28-year dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh and two adjacent marine features began at the International Court of Justice yesterday.

Singapore, which began submissions, contended that Johor had no claim over the islands, which it referred to as Pedra Branca, the Middle Rocks and South Ledge marine features.

The island republic's ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh told the court that Singapore had had sovereignty over the island for the past 150 years.

"Malaysia said, prior to 1847, the island was part of Johor but there is no proof to support its claim," he said.

Koh said the British acquired sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh to build a lighthouse in 1851.

He said Singapore was part of the Straits Settlement in 1867 and became part of the British colony.

"So Singapore, a former British colony, is successor to the title to Pedra Branca and also the two marine features which are located nearby," he said.

He was making his opening address to settle the territorial dispute between the island republic and Malaysia.

He said the dispute had been an irritant in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

"After almost 28 years, we are very pleased that the dispute will finally be brought to an end."

A 16-judge panel, led by court vice-president Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawaneh, will hear submissions from both parties scheduled for 12 days.

It is to decide the ownership of the 137-metre by 60-metre granite outcrop, which is located 7.7 nautical miles off Johor and 25 nautical miles from Singapore.

Situated where the Straits of Johor meets the South China Sea, it houses a light house, communication tower, helipad and a jetty.

Malaysia first claimed the island in 1979 when the country published new official maps, which included Pulau Batu Puteh as part of its territory.

This drew a protest from Singapore which currently has exclusive control over Pulau Batu Puteh, the Middle Rocks and South Ledge marine features. The court is expected to issue its judgment next year and both countries have said they would abide by its ruling.

Koh yesterday supported his submissions with maps and documents.

He said although Malaysia was formed in 1963 and Singapore became an independent state in 1965, many legal proceedings took place prior to that.

He said the lawful taking of Pulau Batu Puteh was effected by a series of actions such as the landing of a British agent in 1847 and the inaugration of the Horsbrough light house in 1851.

He said Malaysia had been silent over Pulau Batu Puteh and only asserted sovereignty in 1979.

"The taking over of the island was through peaceful means and there was no opposition from any party," he said adding that there was also no evidence that the British sought permission from Johor.

Indeed, he said the Dutch governor-general in Batavia (Indonesia) in the 1880s recognised the British acquisition of Pulau Batu Puteh.

The Malaysian legal team is led by Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Mohamed who is the Malaysian agent, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, the Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Sir Elihu Lauterpacht, Penelope Nevill, Professors James Crawford, Nicolaas Jan Schrijver, Marcelo and G. Cohen.

Hearing continues. - The New Straits Time

Pulau Batu Puteh case begins tomorrow

Pulau Batu Puteh is about the size of a football field, and holds a lighthouse, communication tower, helipad and jetty constructed by Singapore.

PUTRAJAYA: A 12-day hearing on the territorial dispute over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge between Malaysia and Singapore will begin at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the Netherlands, from tomorrow.

The proceedings come more than four years after the two countries signed an agreement to refer the case to the court, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

In the agreement signed on Feb 6, 2003 here, Malaysia and Singapore requested the court to determine to whom the sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, and the two adjacent marine features, Middle Rocks and South Ledge belongs to.

The agreements were ratified by parliaments of both nations which agreed to accept and be bound by the court's decision.

Pulau Batu Puteh, called Pedra Branca by Singapore, is 7.7 nautical miles off Johor and 25 nautical miles from Singapore.

It is about the size of a football field, and holds a lighthouse, communication tower, helipad and jetty constructed by Singapore.

The dispute over Pulau Batu Puteh arose in 1979 after Malaysia published new official maps showing it as part of its territory.

After 1980, Singapore prohibited local fishermen from carrying out their activities and seeking shelter during bad weather.

At present, the island is under Singapore's control.

Singapore asserts that it has sovereignty as it has maintained the Horsburgh lighthouse there since 1851.

Malaysia's stand is that she was not making a claim over Pulau Batu Puteh as it was always part of her territory.

In Malaysia's view, the lighthouse was built and administered only by consent of the Sultan of Johor, which was granted in 1844.

Both countries tried to resolve the issue through diplomatic means, but at their first meeting in February 1993 Singapore extended its claim to Middle Rocks and South Ledge.

Subsequently, both countries agreed in 1994 to refer their dispute to the ICJ but it was put on the back burner pending the settlement to the Sipadan and Ligitan territorial dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia.

The ICJ on Dec 17, 2002, ruled in favour of Malaysia.

The Malaysia-Singapore dispute will be heard by a 16-man panel led by court vice-president Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawaneh and two ad-hoc judges appointed by Malaysia and Singapore.

Court president Rosalyn Higgins had disqualified herself as she was involved in preparing the case for Singapore.

The Malaysian legal team is led by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Sir Elihu Lauterpacht, James Crawford, Nicolaas Jan Schrijver, Marcelo G. Cohen and Penelope Nevill.

Both parties, apart from raising principles and rules of international law, will also rely on historical background and map evidence, to argue their case.

Judgment is expected in the middle of next year - The New Straits Time

Isu Pulau Batu Puteh

From YouTube:

Pertikaian Batu Puteh Di ICJ Bermula 6 Nov

PUTRAJAYA, 2 Nov - Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) akan mendengar pertikaian antara Malaysia dengan Singapura berhubung kedaulatan Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks dan South Ledge, yang terletak di perairan luar pantai Johor, bermula Selasa depan di The Haque, Belanda.

Pendengaran akan bermula dengan ucapan pembukaan oleh kedua-dua pihak sebelum penyampaian hujah lisan oleh Singapura pada hari pertama.

Singapura diberikan empat hari (6-9 Nov) untuk menggulung hujah lisan pusingan pertama, sementara Malaysia diberikan giliran pada 13-16 Nov, menurut siaran akhbar di laman web ICJ.

Ini akan diikuti dengan hujah lisan dua hari pusingan kedua oleh Singapura pada 19 dan 20 Nov dan Malaysia pada 22 dan 23 Nov.

Keputusan kes dijangka disampaikan sebelum Jun tahun depan.

Pada 2003, dua negara berkenaan mengemukakan bersama kepada ICJ pertikaian berhubung kedaulatan ke atas Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks dan South Ledge.

Mereka memberitahu ICJ mengenai kes itu menerusi perjanjian khas ditandatangani oleh Malaysia dan Singapura pada 6 Feb tahun berkenaan di Putrajaya dan dikuatkuasakan pada 9 Mei tahun itu.

Delegasi Malaysia akan diketuai oleh Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Mohamad, Duta Kelana, yang juga Penasihat Perdana Menteri mengenai Hal Ehwal Luar. Beliau akan menjadi wakil Malaysia bagi kes itu sementara Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, Duta Besar Malaysia ke Belanda, bertindak sebagai wakil bersama.

Pasukan undang-undang Malaysia akan diketuai oleh Peguam Negara Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

Lain-lain dalam pasukan itu ialah Sir Elihu Lauterpacht dan James Crawford, kedua-duanya profesor Undang-undang Antarabangsa di Universiti Cambridge; Nicolaas Jan Schrijver, profesor Undang-undang Antarabangsa Awam, Universiti Leiden; Marcelo G. Kohen, profesor Undang-undang Antarabngsa, Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva; dan Penelope Nevill, pensyarah kolej, Downing College, Universiti Cambridge.

Hakim Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh, naib-presiden ICJ, akan mempersidangkan kes bersama 15 hakim lain, termasuk dua hakim ad hoc dilantik oleh Malaysia dan Singapura.

Hakim-hakim itu ialah Raymond Ranjeva (Madagascar), Shi Jiuyong (China), Abdul G. Koroma (Sierra Leone), Gonzalo Parra Aranguren (Venezuela), Thomas Buergenthal (AS), Hisashi Owada (Jepun), Bruno Simma (Jerman), Peter Tomka (Slovakia), Ronny Abraham (Perancis), Kenneth Keith (New Zealand), Bernardo Sepulveda Amor (Mexico), Mohamed Bennouna (Morocco) dan Leonid Skotnikov (Russia).

Malaysia telah melantik Christopher S.R. Dugard dari Afrika Selatan dan Singapura, Pemmaraju Sreenivasa Rao dari India, sebagai hakim ad hoc.

Presiden ICJ Hakim Rosalyn Higgins memutuskan untuk tidak mendengar kes itu kerana beliau pernah mewakili Singapura sebelum pelantikannya ke jawatan tertinggi di mahkamah itu.

Kesemua 16 hakim, termasuk Awn Shawkat, akan mengundi untuk menentukan keputusan kes itu.

Semasa prosiding, kedua-dua pihak akan mengemukakan bukti termasuk peta dan dokumen berdasarkan latarbelakang sejarah dan prinsip undang-undang antarabangsa seperti penemuan, pemisahan, pertambahan, serahan, serta peraturan "uti possidetis" iaitu sempadan negara-negara baru merdeka berdasarkan sempadan wilayah jajahan lama, kesinambungan dan kesamaan sempadan.

Sementara itu, Abdul Gani, yang kini berada di the Hague, berkata Malaysia optimis akan memenangi kes itu.

"Kami semua cukup bersiap sedia dan pasukan kita mempunyai segala dokumen dan bukti untuk memenangi pertikaian ini...insyaAllah.

"Setiap orang cukup bersemangat...terutama diri saya. Ini adalah antara pertikaian yang begitu ditunggu-tunggu selepas Malaysia memenangi pertikaian ke atas Pulau Ligitan dan Sipadan pada 2002," katanya ketika dihubungi Bernama.

Beliau berkata cuaca sejuk di The Hague tidak akan menjejas mood pasukan undang-undang Malaysia untuk memberikan prestasi terbaik semasa hujah lisan pusingan pertama - Bernama

Top legal officer's bid to retire rejected

By: V. Anbalagan

PUTRAJAYA: In an about-turn, the government has rejected the application of former Attorney-General's Chambers prosecution head Datuk Yusof Zainal Abiden to go on optional retirement.

He was to join the Securities Commission yesterday.

Yusof is now a legal officer on the same grade, but without any position.

The New Straits Times learnt that the approval given to Yusof, 52, to take optional retirement was revoked on "grounds of national interest".

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was not available for comment as he is in the Hague, Netherlands. Gani is one of the counsel representing Malaysia in the International Court of Justice over the Pulau Batu Puteh territorial dispute proceedings between Malaysia and Singapore which begin on Tuesday.

Solicitor-General 1 Datuk Idrus Harun could also not be reached for comment.

When contacted, Yusof confirmed that he was still with the A-G's Chambers, but declined further comment.

On Sept 11, Gani confirmed speculation that Yusuf and deputy public prosecutor Sallehuddin Saidin, 44, who was in charge of high profile cases, were going on optional retirement.

Gani had said then that the two sent in their applications for retirement in late August.

He said he approved the applications because the two men wanted to move on to greener pastures.

Gani had also said there were sufficient experienced staff in his office to fill the vacuum left by the two.

Both men went on leave prior to retirement.

On Oct 1, former civil division head in the Chambers, Tun Majid Tun Hamzah, was appointed to fill Yusof's position.

But now, Yusof is back in the A-G's Chambers.

Yusof, a law graduate from University of Malaya, joined the Judicial and Legal Service in 1981 and was posted to Malacca as a magistrate.

He was appointed prosecutions head in the A-G's Chambers in 2002 - The New Straits Times

Batu Putih in Google Map

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Johor MB comments on Pulau Batu Putih dispute

By Hamdan

TANGKAK: Johor will accept the decision reached by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Pulau Batu Putih dispute between Malaysia and Singapore.

Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the state and the Malaysian Government had agreed for the dispute to be resolved by ICJ and would look forward to the outcome.

Speaking to reporters here, he said it was just like the case where Malaysia accepted the decision regarding the dispute with Indonesia on Pulau Ligitan near Sabah several years ago.

“There has been a precedent on resolving such disputes when Malaysia agreed to bring related matters to the International Court of Justice.

“Similarly, we brought the land reclamation works carried out by Singapore in the Johor Straits to the International Tribunal of The Law of The Sea in Hamburg to resolve the issue,” he said recently.

Abdul Ghani, who accompanied his wife Datin Paduka Prof Jamilah Arifin in launching the Johor Healthy Women Carnival 2007, said the state hoped the outcome would favour Malaysia.

Recently, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia and Singapore would know early next year which side owns Pulau Batu Putih, Middle Rocks and South Ledge when the ICJ makes its decision.

Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia was ready with the necessary evidence and documents to face Singapore during the hearing on Nov 6.

Pulau Batu Putih is about 14.3km from Tanjung Penyusop in Johor and 46.3km from Singapore.

The Middle Rocks is an island about half a nautical mile from Pulau Batu Putih and 1.7 nautical miles from South Ledge.

Singapore claimed sovereignty over Pulau Batu Putih in 1979 and the two other places in 1993.

On July 24, 2003, Malaysia and Singapore agreed to hand over the matter to ICJ.

Commenting on Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s statement recently for Malaysia to lead in economic cooperation in the Iskandar Development Region (IDR), he said it was open to participation.

He said that Malaysia was the world’s 17th top trading nation and any economic growth, including in IDR, would be based on open economic investment.

He said that economic investment in Singapore also observed such open participation and hoped investment in the growth region would be continuous.

Lee recently said that Singapore-Malaysia cooperation, which he described as good, would proceed at the pace Malaysia was comfortable with.

Lee also hoped that Malaysia would accept whatever the outcome was in the dispute between the two nations over Pulau Batu Putih - The Star

ICJ to hear island dispute in November

KOTA TINGGI: Malaysia and Singapore will know early next year who owns Pulau Batu Putih, Middle Rocks and South Ledge when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) makes its decision.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia was ready with all the necessary evidence and documents to face Singapore during the hearing on Nov 6.

Malaysia and Singapore both claim sovereignty over the islands and the dispute has been referred to the ICJ in The Hague, the Netherlands.

“So, let ICJ determine the real owner of the islands,” he said.

Syed Hamid said the 50-man Malaysia legal team was headed by adviser for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Mohamed.

He said the team was the one Malaysia sent to handle the sovereignty dispute over Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan which Malaysia won.

“The hearing is expected to take between two and three weeks,” Syed Hamid, who is also the MP here, told reporters at the SM Teknik Excellent Award ceremony yesterday.

He said any decision by ICJ would not change the two-way policy between Malaysia and Singapore.

Pulau Batu Putih is about 14.3km from Tanjung Penyusop in Johor and 46.3km from Singapore.

The Middle Rocks is an island about half a nautical mile from Pulau Batu Putih and 1.7 nautical miles from South Ledge.

Singapore claimed sovereignty over Pulau Batu Putih in 1979 and the two others in 1993.

On July 24, 2003, Malaysia and Singapore agreed to hand over the matter to ICJ - The Star

Lee: Issues will be resolved

LANGKAWI: Singapore yesterday hinted that outstanding bilateral issues with Malaysia will be resolved through international arbitration.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the issues would have to be resolved “at some point.”

“They are not easy matters to be resolved, otherwise we would not have inherited them from our predecessors.

“So we ought to deal with them in a way that is acceptable to both sides and at the same time it must not affect our bilateral relations.

“These are specific issues, let’s tackle them in a way that is completely acceptable,” he told reporters after a get-together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here yesterday.

Lee used the overlapping claims over Pulau Batu Putih as an example of dealing with bilateral problems. The matter is in the International Court of Justice.

“Whichever way the judgement goes, Singapore will accept, Malaysia will accept. I think we will move on from there and that’s one possible model on how we can deal with other issues as well.”

Malaysia and Singapore are disputing the sovereignty of the tiny island 7.7 nautical miles from Johor and 25 nautical miles from Singapore. Singapore administers the lighthouse on Pulau Batu Putih.

In 1994, both agreed to take the matter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague and have made written submissions. Public hearings are scheduled to start on Nov 6.

Malaysia and Singapore Cabinet ministers attended the get-together. On the Malaysian side, they included Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Ghani Othman.

Abdullah later said Malaysia agreed that while outstanding issues were hard to resolve, “we don’t want to get bogged down by these issues while there are other things we would like to do”.

The outstanding bilateral issues are the price of water sold to Singapore, the use of Malaysian airspace by the Singapore air force, the development of KTM Bhd land in Singapore, the new bridge to replace the Causeway and the early withdrawal of Central Provident Fund contributions by Malaysians working in Singapore - The Star

Batu Putih: Malaysia, Singapura kemuka hujah

Oleh Noor Azam Shairi

KUALA LUMPUR 26 Nov. - Malaysia dan Singapura memfailkan hujah bertulis yang ketiga di Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) di The Hague, Belanda berhubung pertikaian mengenai Pulau Batu Putih, semalam.

Duta Besar Malaysia ke Belanda, Datuk Noor Faridah Ariffin berkata, sekiranya kedua-dua negara bersetuju untuk menamatkan hujah bertulis setakat itu, satu tarikh perbicaraan segera akan dipohon kepada mahkamah berkenaan.

``Ini bergantung kepada kedua-dua negara. Kita akan meneliti hujah-hujah Singapura dan mereka juga akan meneliti hujah-hujah kita, dan kita akan putuskan selepas itu,'' katanya kepada Mingguan Malaysia ketika dihubungi di The Hague, hari ini.

Menurut Noor Faridah, hujah bertulis Singapura itu telah dikirimkan ke Wisma Putra dan pasukan peguam yang mengendalikan kes itu bagi pihak negara semalam juga.

``Setakat ini saya tidak boleh memberi kenyataan lanjut mengenai tarikh penghujahan lisan kerana semuanya bergantung kepada keadaan,'' tambahnya.

Malaysia dan Singapura melalui satu perjanjian yang dimeterai di Putrajaya awal Februari 2003 bersetuju untuk merujuk pertikaian sempadan berhubung Pulau Batu Putih kepada ICJ.

Kedua-dua negara kemudian memfailkan dua hujah bertulis (memorial dan counter memorial) pada Mac tahun lalu dan Januari tahun ini.

Semua hujah bertulis yang difailkan setakat ini adalah dokumen sulit sehinggalah mahkamah membuka perbicaraan lisan, itu pun tertakluk kepada perintah mahkamah selepas mendapat persetujuan kedua-dua pihak.

Menurut Noor Faridah, sekiranya kedua-dua negara bersetuju untuk masuk ke fasa prosiding yang seterusnya iaitu penghujahan lisan, Putrajaya dan Singapura akan menulis surat kepada ICJ memohon satu tarikh perbicaraan ditetapkan.

``Setakat ini, kalau itu berlaku, tarikh yang ada hanyalah separuh kedua tahun depan,'' katanya.

ICJ akan menerima masuk empat hakim baru yang akan mengangkat sumpah pada 27 Februari ini dan sehari selepas itu bersidang selama sembilan minggu untuk mendengar kes antara Bosnia dan Herzegovina terhadap Serbia dan Montenegro berhubung jenayah perang.

Selepas kes itu, satu lagi kes dijadual dibicarakan iaitu antara Nicaragua dan Honduras menyentuh isu persempadanan Laut Carebbian - Utusan Malaysia

Chok Tong ketuai Singapura berunding dengan Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA 5 Okt. - Bekas Perdana Menteri Singapura, Goh Chok Tong akan mengetuai republik itu untuk berunding dengan Malaysia bagi menyelesaikan isu-isu dua hala yang tertangguh antara kedua-dua negara sejak sekian lama.

Perdana Menteri Singapura, Lee Hsien Loong yang berada di negara ini untuk lawatan sulung sejak mengambil alih kuasa pada 12 Ogos lalu memberitahu beliau menyerahkan tugas kepada Chok Tong yang kini merupakan Menteri Kanan untuk meneruskan rundingan memandangkan beliau lebih arif mengenai isu terlibat.

Perkara itu turut dijelaskan oleh Hsien Loong kepada Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi pada pertemuan empat mata di Pejabat Perdana Menteri di sini hari ini.

Mengulas pelantikan Chok Tong, Abdullah berkata, bekas Perdana Menteri Singapura itu telah diundang ke negara ini dan beliau menjangkakan sekurang-kurangnya satu pertemuan bagi merundingi isu-isu tertangguh dapat diadakan sebelum akhir tahun ini.

Hsien Loong memberitahu pada pertemuan hari ini, Abdullah ada mengemukakan beberapa cadangan untuk menyelesaikan isu-isu tertangguh itu dan beliau telah meminta agar ia dipanjangkan kepada Chok Tong serta berjanji untuk menimbangkannya secara serius.

``Walaupun saya telah mengambil alih jawatan Perdana Menteri (Singapura), saya telah meminta Chok Tong untuk terus menangani isu-isu dua hala kerana beliau sudah biasa dengannya.

``(Isu-isu terlibat) adalah rumit, melibatkan banyak kaitan hubungan dan kebijaksanaan (untuk menyelesaikannya) yang saya belum mahir dan akan mengambil masa agak lama untuk menguasainya,'' kata Hsien Loong.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika membuat kenyataan bersama dengan Abdullah kepada pemberita selepas mesyuarat delegasi dan majlis menandatangani perjanjian mengelak cukai dua kali di antara Malaysia dan Singapura di Jabatan Perdana Menteri di sini.

Isu-isu dua hala yang masih tertangguh itu termasuk penjualan air ke Singapura, status Pusat Kastam, Imigresen dan Kuarantin (CIQ) dan tanah KTMB di Tanjung Pagar serta pengeluaran wang dari Tabung Simpanan Pusat (CPF) oleh rakyat Malaysia yang bekerja di republik itu.

Dalam lawatan sulung Abdullah sebagai Perdana Menteri ke republik itu pada Januari lalu, kedua-dua negara mencapai persetujuan untuk kembali ke meja rundingan bagi merungkai semula kekusutan dalam isu-isu tertangguh dan mengetepikan sementara pilihan menggunakan khidmat timbang tara.

Keputusan itu bagaimanapun tidak melibatkan dua isu iaitu tuntutan bertindih ke atas Pulau Batu Putih dan bantahan Malaysia terhadap kerja-kerja penambakan laut oleh Singapura masing-masing telah dibawa ke Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) dan Tribunal Antarabangsa bagi Undang-undang Laut (ITLOS).

Mengulas lanjut keputusannya untuk tidak terlibat secara langsung dalam merundingi isu-isu tertangguh dua hala, Hsien Loong berkata, selain Chok Tong, Timbalan Perdana Menteri yang juga bekas Menteri Luar, Prof. S. Jayakumar memahami isu tersebut secara mendalam kerana mereka terlibat dalam rundingan dengan Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

``Mereka tahu luar dalam dan kita mahu supaya ada kesinambungan dalam dasar-dasar kita. Jadi saya minta beliau (Chok Tong) teruskan dan Abdullah juga menerima peranan Chok Tong sebagai `ketua perunding' yang akan berurusan dengan Malaysia dalam hal ini,'' ujarnya.

Mengulas lawatan sulungnya ke Malaysia, Hsien Loong berbesar hati dengan sambutan mesra yang diterimanya dan berharap hubungan baik kedua-dua negara yang berkembang sejak setahun kebelakangan ini akan dapat dikekal dan diperkukuhkan.

Beliau menarik perhatian banyak bidang kerjasama yang boleh dijalin antara kedua-dua negara termasuk yang digariskan oleh Abdullah seperti pelancongan, usaha sama sektor swasta dan kerjasama menangani keganasan dan menjamin keselamatan di Selat Melaka - Utusan Malaysia

Cendekiawan - UM belum ketandusan tokoh

Oleh Wahid Hashim

FAKULTI Sastera dan Sains Sosial Universiti Malaya (UM) masih unggul sebagai `sarang' kelompok cendekiawan (think tank) ketika negara memerlukan buah fikiran berhubung sesuatu isu.

``Kita pernah ada barisan tokoh dari fakulti ini seperti Khoo Kay Kim, Zainal Kling, Taib Othman dan banyak lagi.

``Kita membuktikan bahawa sekarang pun kita belum ketandusan tokoh,'' kata dekannya, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Raduan Mohd Ariff kepada Utusan Malaysia di Kual Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

Mereka merupakan tokoh awam atau public intellectual yang rapat dengan masyarakat, katanya.

Beliau merujuk kepada isu yang melanda negara, dan kemudian dirujuk kepada penyelidik di fakulti itu seperti isu Pulau Batu Putih, isu penyemakan tarif air dengan Singapura dan perebutan kepulauan Ligitan dan Sipadan.

Katanya, ketika negara berhadapan dengan isu pulau Batu Putih, kajian oleh Pengarah Institut Asia-Eropah, Prof. Datuk Shahril Talib menjadi rujukan kerajaan.

``Kemudian tesis sarjana oleh Rohana Jalil, yang kini pelajar Institut Asia Eropah, dijadikan rujukan penting semasa isu tuntutan kenaikan tarif air.

``Begitu juga dengan isu tuntutan kepulauan Ligitan dan Sipadan yang merujuk kepada kajian Ranjit Singh, profesor dari Jabatan Sejarah,'' ujarnya.

Ditanya mengenai program dwipengkhususan sepertimana yang pernah dicadangkan oleh Kementerian Pelajaran, Dr. Mohammad Raduan berkata, beliau tidak bercadang untuk mengambil kesempatan daripada pelanjutan tempoh pengajian daripada tiga kepada empat tahun untuk menawarkan dwipengkhususan.

Katanya, semua fakulti di UM bersetuju untuk melanjutkan tempoh pengajian daripada tiga kepada empat tahun pada satu mesyuarat senat baru-baru ini.

Bagi beliau, program dwipengkhususan hanya sesuai untuk guru yang memilih opsyen tertentu.

Beliau juga tidak mendapat gambaran yang jelas sama ada apa yang dimaksudkan dengan dwipengkhususan itu adalah gandingan major dengan major, major dengan minor atau bergraduat dengan dua gulung ijazah sekali gus.

Secara prinsipnya, beliau lebih bersetuju sekiranya fakulti memantapkan sesuatu kursus dan sahsiah pelajar.

Katanya, kalau seorang pelajar hendak membuat dwipengkhususan, mereka perlu melengkapkan 120 jam kredit.

``Ini belum termasuk 15 jam kredit kursus universiti,'' ujarnya.

Menurut beliau, sudah tentu seorang pelajar aliran sastera tidak boleh mengambil kursus perubatan sebagai pasangan dwipengkhususannya.

Beliau berharap kesilapan silam iaitu membenarkan pelajar membuat dwipengkhususan tanpa melengkapkan unit secukupnya tidak diulangi.

``Dahulu boleh ambil pasangan Bacelor Sains dengan Pendidikan, tetapi berakhir dengan pengangguran kerana tidak cukup jam kredit, iaitu prasyarat bidang kimia,'' ujar beliau.

Katanya konsep dwipengkhususan yang difahami di United Kingdom ialah seorang bergraduat dengan dua ijazah, misalnya Bacelor Geografi dan Bacelor Sejarah.

Beliau turut mempersoalkan graduan yang half-baked dengan ijazah dwipengkhususan.

Tambah beliau, kekeliruan juga timbul bila pengijazahan hendak dilakukan.

``Bagaimana kita hendak mendefinisikan seorang pelajar yang lulus daripada Akademi Pengajian Islam dan pasangan Sains?

``Adakah kita dahulukan Bacelor Pengajian Islam dengan Sains atau Sains dengan Pengajian Islam?'' katanya.

Beliau membuat kesimpulan, lebih baik memberi tumpuan kepada keperluan pekerjaan seperti pengukuhan bahasa Inggeris, kemahiran berkomunikasi dan pengukuhan bidang daripada meminta pelajar membuat dwipengkhususan.

Mengenai syarat ke fakulti, Dr. Mohammad Raduan memberitahu cut-off point Purata Nilai Gred Kumulatif (PNGK) yang ditetapkan ialah 2.8.

``Cut-off point yang dikenakan ke Fakulti Sastera dan Sains Sosial lebih tinggi kalau dibandingkan dengan kursus-kursus sains,'' ujarnya.

Kemasukan ke fakulti itu adalah berdasarkan keputusan Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).

Katanya, memang ada usaha untuk meminggirkan peranan bidang sastera di UM, sehingga tidak ada keseimbangan antara sastera dan sains sosial.

``Kita semakin mengecil apabila Akademi Pengajian Islam dan Pengajian Melayu dikeluarkan daripada fakulti ini,'' katanya.

Ditanya jika universiti mem-punyai perancangan untuk melakukan penstrukturan semula, beliau berkata:

``Kita lihat mana-mana kursus yang tidak diperlukan akan digugurkan.''

At least three RMN ships to patrol Melaka Straits, says Navy Chief

KOTA TINGGI May 22 - The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will deploy at least three ships at all times to patrol the Melaka Straits to ensure the busy waterway is safe to all passing ships.

The Chief of Navy, Admiral Datuk Seri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said the presence of the RMN ships would help to deter sea piracy and smuggling activities.

"On the minimum, we will deploy three ships to patrol the straits at all times. We are also involved in other operations," he told reporters after the passing-out parade of RMN recruits at at Pularek, Tanjung Pengelih, here Saturday.

Mohd Anwar said the RMN also deployed its assets to patrol 24 hours the waters off Pulau Batu Putih, the rocky island claimed by Singapore.

The RMN ships were also involved in patrolling the country's waters in the South China Sea to prevent illegal fishing by foreign trawlers, he said.

Mohd Anwar said the RMN was also ensuring Pulau Perak in Kedah and Pulau Jarak near Pulau Pangkor in Perak free of illegal activities with 24-hour patrols.

On "Ops Pasir" in waters of Sabah's east coast, he said that at least four ships were deployed together with four assault CB-90 craft.

"There must be a RMN presence to deter smuggling activities and piracy," he said of the operations which also involved the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft and assault Rover craft from the army.

He also said the RMN had plans to increase its fleet of F2000 frigates from two to six to form a full frigate squadron.

The existing frigates "KD Lekiu" and "KD Lekir" were bought from Britain at over RM1 billion.

Era baru hubungan jiran

Oleh Marhaini Kamaruddin

HUBUNGAN Malaysia-Singapura memasuki era baru dengan lawatan sulung Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ke republik itu semalam, apabila kedua-dua negara berjiran mencapai persetujuan untuk merungkai semula kekusutan dalam isu-isu tertangguh di meja rundingan.

Walaupun penyelesaian oleh pihak ketiga masih boleh digunakan, kedua-dua pihak memilih untuk mengambil pendekatan diplomasi yang menjadi amalan kejiranan ASEAN dan meletakkan peringkat timbang tara sebagai pilihan terakhir bagi memecahkan kebuntuan.

Keputusan itu tidak melibatkan dua isu iaitu tuntutan bertindih ke atas Pulau Batu Putih dan bantahan Malaysia terhadap kerja-kerja penambakan laut oleh Singapura yang masing-masing telah pun dibawa ke Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) dan Tribunal Antarabangsa bagi Undang-undang Laut (ITLOS).

Bagaimanapun ia membuka jalan rundingan bagi beberapa isu tertangguh khususnya isu air yang menjadi duri dalam daging hubungan dua hala sejak sekian lama dan isu pembinaan jambatan bagi menggantikan Tambak Johor yang memerlukan perhatian segera.

Persetujuan antara Abdullah dan rakan sejawatannya, Perdana Menteri Goh Chok Tong untuk kembali berunding mungkin kurang memuaskan hati mereka yang mengharapkan sesuatu keputusan drastik dicapai dalam isu tertentu pada kunjungan pertama Perdana Menteri baru Malaysia itu.

Malah ada di kalangan wakil media kedengaran mengeluh sebaik sahaja Abdullah-Goh selesai memberikan sidang akhbar bersama selepas pertemuan empat mata yang diikuti oleh mesyuarat delegasi lebih sejam di Kompleks Istana Singapura.

Berdasarkan kenyataan-kenyataan pemimpin dan laporan media di republik itu menjelang lawatan, menunjukkan negara pulau di seberang tambak itu meletakkan harapan yang agak tinggi untuk mencari titik pertemuan baru bagi menyelesaikan isu-isu tertangguh.

Bagaimanapun seperti yang dijelaskan oleh Menteri Luar Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar sejak awal-awal lagi, adalah tidak realistik untuk mengharapkan semua isu tertangguh atau isu dua hala tertentu dapat diselesaikan dalam lawatan singkat ini.

Adalah tidak adil juga untuk membandingkan hasil lawatan Abdullah ke Singapura dengan Jakarta kerana perbezaan isu yang melibatkan hubungan dua hala antara Malaysia dengan kedua-dua negara.

Ini kerana isu pekerja asing memang telah dijangka akan menjadi agenda perbincangan utama antara Abdullah dan Presiden Megawati Sukarnoputri semasa lawatan Perdana Menteri ke Indonesia, lantas perincian mengenai memorandum persefahaman (MoU) antara kedua-dua negara difahamkan telah disiapkan lebih awal.

Bagaimanapun dalam konteks Singapura, walaupun isu air berada dalam senarai teratas isu-isu tertangguh yang sering menjadi punca ketegangan hubungan diplomatik dua negara, masih banyak isu lain yang menuntut penyelesaian segera.

Terbaru dan paling mendesak ialah isu pembinaan jambatan bagi menggantikan Tambak Johor yang telah pun dimulakan di pihak Malaysia tetapi dengan pelan yang berbeza dari asal ekoran tidak mendapat sokongan di pihak Singapura.

``Oleh yang demikian, tidak pernah menjadi impian kita yang semua isu tertangguh dapat diselesaikan dalam satu kunjungan singkat,'' kata Syed Hamid kepada wartawan tempatan ketika memberi taklimat ringkas tentang lawatan kerja sehari Abdullah di bilik hotelnya di Scotts Road di Kota Singa.

Justeru persetujuan kedua-dua Perdana Menteri untuk kembali menyelesaikan isu-isu tertangguh di meja rundingan dan bukannya melalui pihak ketiga seharusnya dilihat dari sudut positif yang membawa pembaharuan dalam status hubungan dua hala.

Kedua-dua pemimpin memahami kunjungan ini bukan tempatnya untuk menamatkan konflik serta-merta namun komitmen mereka untuk menyelesaikan isu-isu tertangguh dan kesedaran tentang kepentingan menyegerakannya membuka jalan dan memberi petunjuk kepada fasa baru hubungan dua hala.

Ia jelas mencerminkan stail kepimpinan Abdullah sejak mengambil alih tampuk pemerintahan negara daripada mantan Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad untuk mengambil pendekatan berbincang yang nampaknya diperluaskan dalam dasar luar negara.

Kedua-dua pemimpin memahami bahawa lawatan ini bukan tempat dan masanya untuk memutuskan sesuatu perkara secara spesifik, justeru tidak ada agenda khusus yang ditetapkan untuk perbincangan sebaliknya lebih untuk memperbaharui hubungan.

Namun ia tidak pula menghalang Abdullah dan Chok Tong menyentuh mengenai isu-isu yang tertangguh.

Pertemuan empat mata yang diatur secara berasingan untuk Abdullah menemui Chok Tong, Presiden S.R.Nathan dan Menteri Kanan Lee Kuan Yew memberi banyak peluang kepada beliau untuk bertukar-tukar pandangan tentang bagaimana mahu menggerakkan hala tuju hubungan dua hala antara Malaysia dan Singapura.

Lawatan ini sudah pasti akan menjadi garis panduan kepada menteri dan para pegawai Kementerian Luar untuk mengambil tindakan susulan kerana jalan di hadapan telah pun ditunjukkan oleh pemimpin tertinggi kedua-dua negara.

Untuk mewujudkan keyakinan terhadap era baru hubungan dua hala yang lebih harmoni, kedua-dua pihak perlu bersama-sama membina keyakinan itu dengan menunjukkan komitmen untuk menyelesaikan isu-isu tertangguh antara kedua-dua negara.

Abdullah telah mencadangkan supaya kedua-dua pihak kembali ke meja rundingan dalam menangani isu-isu tertangguh. Kita tidak boleh melihat seolah-olah Malaysia telah mengubah dasar luar dengan perkembangan terbaru ini kerana hakikatnya kita hanya mengubah suai pendekatan untuk mencari jalan keluar daripada kebuntuan yang membelenggu isu-isu dua hala.

Sememangnya Malaysia percaya jalan terbaik mencari penyelesaian kepada apa jua kebuntuan ialah di meja rundingan dan ia memang menjadi dasar luar negara sejak sekian lama.

Dasar luar negara adalah sesuatu yang berterusan dan tidak sewenang-wenang bertukar dengan perubahan pemimpin negara kerana perkara-perkara yang berkaitan dengannya sering kali melibatkan strategi dan kepentingan nasional. Ia tidak berubah dalam satu malam. Tetapi kita juga memberi pendekatan baru berasaskan syarat-syarat, persekitaran dan masa.

Menurut seorang diplomat kanan, keputusan Malaysia untuk kembali ke meja rundingan juga tidak harus dilihat seolah-olah kita berlembut dengan Singapura.

``Memang benar di bawah kepimpinan Dr. Mahathir, pertikaian mengenai isu tertangguh khususnya dalam soal harga air yang dijual Malaysia ke republik menemui jalan buntu dan hampir menyaksikan ia dibawa ke peringkat timbang tara,'' katanya.

Beliau tidak menyangkal ada pihak yang cuba membandingkannya dengan keputusan Abdullah untuk membincangkan semula isu-isu tertangguh dan menjadikan peringkat timbang tara sebagai pilihan terakhir.

``Namun kita tidak patut terperangkap dengan cubaan pihak tertentu untuk membanding-bandingkan kedua-dua pemimpin negara kerana baik Dr. Mahathir mahupun Abdullah akan mencari jalan penyelesaian tanpa mengorbankan kepentingan negara,'' kata diplomat tersebut.

Memetik kata Chok Tong: ``Pemimpin baru dengan stail baru dan kita (Singapura) akan memberi peluang mencuba untuk membina hubungan yang baru''.

Dalam sidang akhbar bersama semalam, Abdullah secara terbuka menyarankan supaya isu-isu tertangguh dibincangkan secara berasingan bukan lagi dalam bentuk pakej.

Tidak dapat dinafikan bahawa kongkongan pakej menyebabkan perbincangan isu-isu tertangguh dua hala kerap-kali menemui jalan buntu tanpa sebarang penyelesaian. Justeru saranan Perdana Menteri itu perlu diterima baik oleh Singapura. Sebagai tanda komitmen untuk mencipta lembaran baru dalam hubungan dua hala, saranan Abdullah itu nampak cukup realistik.

Persetujuan kedua-dua pemimpin untuk kembali ke meja rundingan memberi petunjuk baru tentang pendekatan `bukan konfrontasi' yang akan disusuli selepas ini. Inilah landasan sebenar hubungan dua negara berjiran yang rapat dan menjunjung prinsip setiakawan yang menjadi amalan ASEAN - Utusan Malaysia