Singapore maritime on Malaysian island: 'Gov't bound by ex-Johor sultan's agreement'

PARLIAMENT | The presence of the Singapore maritime authority on Pulau Pisang, an island off the coast of Pontian, Johor, deep within the borders of Malaysia, is due to an agreement made by the then Johor sultan in 1914, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki Yahya (above).

He said this in response to Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) who complained about Singapore's control of a lighthouse and other infrastructure on Pulau Pisang during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

"The Singapore Port and Maritime Authority have a lighthouse there built in 1914, since 105 years ago, and they still maintain the lighthouse as well as Pulau Pisang and the pathway to the structure, even though Pulau Pisang belongs to Malaysia.

"Until when will Singapore maintain and own the lighthouse and does the government plan to discuss with Singapore so that it no longer maintains the lighthouse and hands it over to Malaysia?" Ahmad (photo, below) asked.

Responding to this, Marzuki said the government was tied to a past agreement.

"About Pulau Pisang, I understand that there is a past agreement between the Johor sultan and Singapore, which is still in force until today," he said.

Marzuki did not mention which Johor sultan it was but the ruler in 1914 was Sultan Ibrahim (1895-1959) and Singapore at that time was under the British Straits Settlements.

He stressed that the federal government is mindful of the island and would ensure that it is not used as a base for reconnaissance against Malaysia.

"Even though the Singapore military or maritime is there, the government constantly pays attention so that nothing that they report (to Singapore) from there can affect the sovereignty of our country," he said. - Mkini