Special task force at work

JOHOR BARU: A special task force has submitted several recommendations for Malaysia’s consideration on the sovereignty of Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said this comes as the final report made by the special task force has been tabled to the Cabinet.

“The special task force has also submitted several recommendations for the government’s consideration for appropriate follow-up actions, including legal aspects, the tort of misfeasance and Malaysia-Singapore relations.

“The government has examined and finalised several next steps that will be implemented to restore the dignity and sovereignty of the country concerning Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, especially involving the maritime demarcation issue between Malaysia and Singapore,” he said in a statement.

Wan Junaidi said the report had been prepared by the special task force in nine months, starting from Nov 9 last year until Aug 30, 2022.

He said various approaches have been implemented by the special task force, such as examining and reviewing documentation and related materials, holding a series of discussions and meetings, work visits in and out of the country, consultation services with foreign legal experts and hydrographers, and interview sessions with identified individuals.

Wan Junaidi said the improvements proposed by the special task force through the report were transparent, neutral and inclusive by considering the results of analysis, research and observations of its members.

“The implementation of this special task force as a whole explains the government’s commitment to the best solution related to this matter and supports the country’s foreign policy, which is, among other things, to maintain and defend Malaysia’s independence, sovereignty and security,” he said.

In 2008, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Pedra Branca (Batu Puteh) belonged to Singapore, while sovereignty over the nearby Middle Rocks (Terumbu Karang Tengah) was awarded to Malaysia.

The Malaysian government filed an application in 2017 to review the ICJ decision.

In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government withdrew an application to overturn the ruling awarding legal jurisdiction of Batu Puteh to Singapore before the case hearing scheduled for June 11 that year.

Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the setting up of a task force to conduct a comprehensive study and scrutinise and recommend necessary options by seeking the views of international legal experts on the Batu Puteh case.

“The purpose of this effort is to review laws about the application for revision and interpretation in the case of Batu Puteh.

“The Cabinet also decided to seek preliminary legal views on legal action under the tort of misfeasance against parties found to have committed negligence and error for not proceeding with the application for review and interpretation of the Batu Puteh case,” Ismail Sabri was quoted as saying.

The Prime Minister announced that former attorney general Tan Sri Apandi Ali would chair the task force.