Revision of ICJ decision based on laws agreed by Singapore, says AG

He says this is the continuity of an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore to resolve the dispute.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s application for revision of the decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Pulau Batu Puteh is a legal process which has been jointly agreed to by Singapore, said Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali.

He said the revision was the continuity of an agreement between Malaysia and Singapore to resolve the dispute over ownership of Pulau Batu Puteh, also known as Pedra Branca, through the ICJ.

“Reference through revision at the International Court is a process allowed by the legal procedures at the court and the issue of the dispute is not unusual; it often happens,” he told Bernama when asked for his comment on the revision.

Apandi said the application for revision of the ICJ judgment pertaining to Pulau Batu Puteh will not adversely affect relations between Malaysia and Singapore.

Apandi said in a statement on Feb 3 that Malaysia had filed an application for revision of the ICJ judgment on Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.

The application was filed at the ICJ in The Hague on Feb 2 following the discovery by Malaysia of three documents at the National Archives of the United Kingdom to support its claim.

On May 23, 2008, the ICJ ruled that Singapore had sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, which is 7.7 nautical miles from Pantai Tanjung Penyusuh, Johor.

According to Apandi, the revision showed Malaysia’s commitment and seriousness to get back the island as it involved the country’s sovereignty. -FMT