Kuala Lumpur - The settlement of the overlapping claims between Malaysia and Singapore on the sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge through a judgement by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague Friday demonstrates Malaysia`s steadfast adherence to the fundamental principles governing interstate relations in her foreign policy.
One of these principles being the peaceful settlement of disputes. The other guiding principles are the sovereign equality and mutual respect for territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each others` internal affairs, mutual benefit in relations and peaceful co-existence.
An overview of Malaysia`s foreign policy posted on Wisma Putra`s website states that Malaysia puts high priority in developing close bilateral relations with her neighbour.
"A constructive approach had been taken to resolve outstanding problems including those related to overlapping claims and the determination of land and maritime boundaries.
"Every diplomatic effort is made to ensure that bilateral relations do not become adversely affected on account of such problems with all our neighbours concerned," it said.
The ICJ will decide which country shall have sovereignty over the small islands, which Malaysia says are among the many maritime features that have always formed part of Johor and its surrounding waters and had been used by local Malays as subjects of the Johor Sultanate and residents of Johor.
Pulau Batu Puteh, roughly half the size of a football field, is located 7.7 nautical miles off Johor`s coast of Tanjung Penyusoh.
Singapore called the tiny island Pedra Branca (Portugese for white rock).
The dispute between the two countries over Pulau Batu Puteh began on Feb 14, 1980 when Singapore protested against the 1979 map published by Malaysia clearly placing the island in its territory.
Singapore then expanded its claims to the nearby Middle Rocks and South Ledge in February 1993.
The two countries had on Feb 6, 2003, signed a special agreement to refer the matter to the ICJ.
Although Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim is confident that Malaysia stands a better chance of winning the sovereignty dispute over the islands, he had also said both countries agreed that no matter what the judgement may be, there should be no acrimony on either side.
"We must bear in mind that in any legal case, the outcome is not guaranteed. We can only prepare the best possible arguments and hope that the judges will agree and rule in our favour," he said in an article published recently.
Malaysia and Singapore had also agreed to form a joint technical committee headed by Wisma Putra secretary-general Tan Sri Rastam Mohamed Isa and his Singapore counterpart to act on the ICJ decision.
The settlement of the dispute through the ICJ is also in line with the Asean spirit as contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
TAC follows six fundamental principles, including mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity of all nations; and settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner.
Source: www.bernama.com (23 Mei 2008)
