Possible negligence detected over Batu Puteh case, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: There may have been possible negligence when the former government decided to withdraw an appeal over the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision on Batu Puteh, according to the special task force looking into the matter.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said these were among suggestions the task force presented to the Cabinet during the Sept 30 and Oct 7 meetings.

He said the Cabinet was informed that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad might have made a mistake when withdrawing an application to review the ICJ's decision on the case.

"The task force has suggested that the government proceed with legal action at the ICJ in relation to the case. It also suggested that appropriate action be taken to protect the sovereignty of the country," he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 13).

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

The Malaysian government filed an application in 2017 for a review of the ICJ decision to award legal jurisdiction of Batu Puteh to Singapore..

In 2018, the Pakatan Harapan government withdrew the application before the case was heard, scheduled for June 11 that year.

In 2021, the Prime Minister announced the setting up of a task force to conduct a comprehensive study as well as to scrutinise and recommend necessary options by seeking the views of international legal experts on the Batu Puteh case.

Former attorney general Tan Sri Apandi Ali was chosen to lead the task force.