'Singapore's actions in conveniently declaring the maritime zone as well as the EEZ at Batu Puteh... is very regrettable,' said Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim (left). -- PHOTO: AP
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA said on Monday it has issued an official warning to Singapore over its territorial claims surrounding a disputed rocky outcrop, in the latest quarrel between the neighbours.
After a two-decade wrangle, the International Court of Justice in May confirmed Singapore's ownership of Pedra Branca, while handing the nearby Middle Rocks outcrop to Malaysia.
What Singapore said
LAST month, Singapore said that it would announce 'at an appropriate time' the precise coordinates of the territorial sea and exclusive economic zone that it is claiming around Pedra Branca.
The move was announced by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Balaji Sadasivan in Parliament on July 21.
Should the coordinates overlap with the claims of Singapore's neighbours,'Singapore will negotiate with these countries with a view to arriving at agreed delimitations in accordance with international law', he said.
Following his comments, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs later issued a statement on Pedra Branca in response to media queries:
'Singapore did not take a new position in Parliament on 21 July, 2008 when Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Balaji Sadasivan responded to MPs' questions about Pedra Branca.
Singapore first stated its claim to a territorial sea limit that extends up to a maximum of 12 nautical miles and an Exclusive Economic Zone in a MFA press statement on Sept 15, 1980.
This was reiterated in another MFA press statement on May 23, 2008 following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on sovereignty over Pedra Branca and Middle Rocks.
As stated in both press statements, should the limits of our territorial sea or Exclusive Economic Zone overlap with the claims of neighbouring countries, Singapore will negotiate with those countries with a view to arriving at agreed delimitations in accordance with international law.
Last month, a Singapore minister said its maritime territory around Pedra Branca extended for up to 12 nautical miles, and claimed an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the island - which is half the size of a football field.
That would mean Malaysia would have limited access to the waters around the Middle Rocks, which falls within the zone.
'The Singaporean foreign ministry has been warned through a protest note that what it is doing is against the spirit of Asean and the legal structure,' Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said, according to official news agency Bernama.
He reportedly told parliament that Malaysia issued the note to fellow Asean member Singapore on the sidelines of a recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting.
'Whatever the circumstance, Singapore's claims of up to 12 nautical miles of their maritime borders and an EEZ for Batu Puteh is unacceptable and unreasonable and contradicts the principles of international law,' Dr Rais said.
'Singapore's actions in conveniently declaring the maritime zone as well as the EEZ at Batu Puteh... is very regrettable,' he added.
Dr Rais later told reporters that the cabinet had decided last week to show its sovereignty over the Middle Rocks and on the South ledge outcrop, whose sovereignty has yet to be determined.
'This means that we should fly the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) in both the rocks. The discussions between the technical committee of both Singapore and Malaysia will continue,' he said.
Pedra Branca's sovereignty is one of many bilateral issues that have tested relations between the neighbours, which have been tense since Singapore left the Malaysian Federation in 1965.
Malaysia has said it will continue to look for further evidence on the Pedra Branca case, which could be used to review the ICJ judgement. -- AFP
