KUALA LUMPUR: The final report on the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge by a special task force reviewing the related laws will be tabled before the Cabinet on Friday (Oct 7).
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (pic) said the contents included recommendations to help the government in its commitment to ensure that the sovereignty of the nation's maritime borders is preserved and prioritised.
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"The special task force was chaired by former attorney general Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali for nine months, from Nov 9 to Aug 30.
"It is clear evidence of the government's commitment in this matter," he said in a statement on Sunday (Oct 21).
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Wan Junaidi said the task force comprised lawyers who handled the case from 2016 to 2017 as well as legal practitioners, maritime surveyors and representatives of relevant ministries.
In 2008, the International Court of Justice ruled that Pedra Branca (Batu Puteh) belonged to Singapore, while sovereignty over the nearby Middle Rocks (Terumbu Karang Tengah) was awarded to Malaysia.
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In 2017, the Malaysian government filed an application for review of the ICJ decision.
In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad withdrew an application to overturn the ruling – awarding legal jurisdiction of Batu Puteh to Singapore even before the hearing of the case, which was scheduled on June 11 that year.
