Increase patrols along Johor waters, says assemblyman

The Star 30 Jun 08;

ENFORCEMENT agencies such as the Maritime Agency and the Marine police must increase patrols along Johor waters to prevent further intrusion of the state’s islands.

Datuk Aziz Sapian (BN-Nusajaya) told the state assembly that the agencies should be on their toes especially after the Johor Sultan reminded everyone that Pulau Batu Puteh was under Johor’s sovereignty and must be reclaimed.

“The state government must take proactive actions to ensure the sovereignty of all islands in the state.

“The government agencies must patrol all the islands especially the ones near Singapore,” he said adding that, so far he has not seen much patrols along the waters near Singapore.

Aziz said he did not rule out the possibility that Singapore was using Pulau Batu Puteh’s lighthouse to monitor Malaysia's shipping lanes.

He said islands such as Pulau Merambong, situated about 1.5km from Singapore, must be developed so that the mistakes would not be repeated.

“The island has a lot of potential to be developed under eco-tourism. We must develop it as the distance from Singapore is getting nearer because of land reclamation works,” he said.

He added that the island could also be used as a military watch post to monitor the nation’s waters and security.

Aziz explained that the island was also very strategic as it is situated near international waters as well as Tanjung Pelepas Port.