D-Day for Malaysia

From the map above, there is a clear distinction Malaysia should win the case

The issue of Pulau Batu Puteh ( PBP ) pits Malaysia’s original title to the island against Singapore’s much later claim, which dates from 1980. The island lies 7.7 nautical miles (nm) from the Malaysian mainland but 25.5 nm over the sea from Singapore.

On 14 February 1980, Singapore protested a Malaysian map of its maritime boundaries, published in the previous year, which showed Pulau Batu Puteh belonging to Malaysia. Singapore’s Note of 14 February 1980 led to an exchange of correspondence and subsequently to a series of intergovernmental talks in 1993-1994 at which the respective positions of the two Parties were developed, but without any conclusion. Subsequently it was agreed that the matter should be resolved by reference to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Malaysia has undertaken extensive research in various institutions in 12 different countries throughout the world, including Malaysia, for almost 30 years prior to the oral hearings of the case.

Malaysia has an original title to Pulau Batu Puteh of long standing. Pulau Batu Puteh is, and has always been, part of the Malaysian State of Johor. Nothing has happened to displace Malaysia’s sovereignty over it. Singapore’s presence on the island for the sole purpose of constructing and maintaining a lighthouse there – with the permission of the territorial sovereign, Johor – does not displace Malaysia's sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh.

P/S : There would be a live telecast on the judgement regarding the Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge on Friday, 23 May 2008 at 4.00 p.m Malaysian time in RTM1. Keep our fingers cross folks. Thank God we have RTM reception here in Papua New Guinea! Who says PNG is a hardship post!!!