Prof Jayakumar said that his work on Pedra Branca was one of the highlights of his 27 years in the Law Ministry. --ST PHOTO: EDWIN KOO

OFFICIALS from Singapore and Malaysia have been in touch recently ahead of next week's verdict on the sovereignty dispute over Pedra Branca, to discuss ways to ensure a 'smooth and problem-free' enforcement of the judgement to be handed down by the world court, Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar said on Monday.

The International Court of Justice will deliver its verdict on Pedra Branca on Friday May 23, bringing to a close a 28-year-old bilateral dispute over the small island some 40km east of Singapore and home to Hosburgh Lighthouse.

Prof Jayakumar said in a press conference on Monday morning that his work on Pedra Branca was one of the highlights of his 27 years in the Law Ministry.

He stepped down as Law Minister on May 1 and was succeeded by top litigator and veteran PAP Member of Parliament K Shanmugam.

Prof Jayakumar, who continues to oversee foreign policy matters that involve legal negotiation or international adjudication, also said he was 'quietly confident' that the Pedra Branca judgement will be in Singapore's favour.

But he added that it was in the nature of court proceedings that the judgement could go either way.