S’pore to stop development plans in Batu Puteh,says Mohamad

ALL ongoing reclamation and development plans by Singapore in Batu Puteh will be temporarily halted, says Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin.

According to him, the decision by Singapore came following Malaysia’s verbal and written objections that Singapore has no right to continue planning development and reclamation works until the two countries finalise the maritime borders in those waters.

“Singapore agreed to stop all temporary plans for development and reclamation works in Batu Puteh.

“Aside from determining maritime borders, negotiations to discuss Singapore’s unilateral development plans in Batu Puteh have been started by both countries,” said Mohamad during his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in Parliament.

He said the Foreign Ministry and other government agencies are monitoring current developments and studying actions that can be taken based on international laws and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“As a responsible nation, Malaysia remains with the principles that this matter has to be handled diplomatically in good faith,” he added.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently said Malaysia and Singapore agreed to hold detailed negotiations on the republic’s plans to reclaim land near Batu Puteh.

Anwar also said this was agreed with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his recent visit to the republic last month.

However, he said the decision of not appealing the International Court of Justice’s decision should be reviewed.

Meanwhile, Mohamad stressed that Batu Puteh is the official term used by the government, and not “Pulau Batu Puteh”.

“It (Batu Puteh) does not qualify as an island, according to Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

“This is also in line with the Cabinet decision dated Aug 13, 2008,” said Mohamad.