Kuala Lumur - The government may only approve fishing by traditional means and not with trawlers within the waters of Middle Rocks off Johor, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Friday.
He said the ministry‘s secretary-general, who headed a committee, had submitted a report to the Cabinet on the viability of fishing there.
"One of the items specified there (in the report) is the possibility of carrying on traditional fishing. Which means, if at all it becomes a reality at the end of the day, it will be fishing pursuant to traditional practice," Rais told a press conference after accepting cheques for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, here.
Rais said he had raised the matter of traditional fishing with Singapore and was hopeful that the republic would be in the "same frame of acceptance".
He also said that discussions would be held with Singapore on the survey of Middle Rocks and the establishment of a platform there.
He said discussions on the question of territorial waters, with regard to South Ledge, would have to include experts.
"But we have to do the homework, and the homework must be open and transparent, able to be inspected by all parties concerned and all these will be done in an atmosphere of harmony, friendship and understanding with Singapore," he said.
Malaysia was awarded sovereignty over Middle Rocks by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which awarded sovereignty over Batu Puteh to Singapore in a decision on May 23.
The ICJ also ruled that sovereignty over South Ledge belongs to the country in the territorial waters of which the feature is located.
Source: www.bernama.com.my (June 13, 2008)