WITH the Government and Johor Palace livid over the previous Pakatan Harapan administration’s decision to not pursue the claim over Pulai Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca), a letter which was said to be instrumental in delivering the small island to Singapore, is doing rounds on social media.
Dated Sept 21, 1953, the letter was written by the then-Johor state secretary Seth Saaid who clearly indicated that the state does not claim ownership of Pulau Batu Puteh.
“I have the honour to refer to your letter NC80. 11692/52 dated 12th June 1953, addressed to the British adviser, Johore, on the question of the status of Pedra Branca rock some 40 miles from Singapore and to inform you that the Johore Government does not claim ownership of Pedra Branca,” Seth had stated.
The letter was addressed to the Singapore Colonial Secretary Office at the time.
In October last year, the Government formed a special task force to investigate Pakatan decision in not filing an appeal against the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision to award the island to Singapore instead of Malaysia.
The team then presented an interim report on the matter to Johor Ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar Shah.
On June 16, Sultan Ibrahim expressed displeasure over Pakatan’s decision and reminded Putrajaya to honour the Malaya Agreement signed in 1948 and 1957.
“Everyone must remember that the states have its own powers under the agreements and don’t do things to your whims and fancies.
“I’m disappointed by the Government’s decision in 2018 to cancel is appeal process on the Pulau Batu Puteh issue.
“The prime minister back then made his own decision by instructing the Attorney-General at the time to take leave while the Cabinet was not formed. The Johor state government was not referred to when it came to our sovereignty.
“Therefore, I call upon the Government to take action against those who breached Johor’s jurisdiction,” His Highness was reported as saying.
Dr M fights back
On June 24, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad shot back by alleging that it was Johor’s fault that the island went to Singapore’s hands.
“We should be thankful that the ICJ awarded us Pulau Ligitan and Pulau Sipadan as they were not claimed by Indonesia,” Astro Awani reported him as saying. “Both the islands have higher commercial value that Pulau Batu Putih, which is just a rock formation.”
In May 2008, the ICJ awarded Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore while Malaysia won sovereignty over Middle Rocks. – June 27, 2022
