Malaysia plans to determine status of 100 islands

Channel NewsAsia 9 Jun 08;

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia plans to determine the sovereignty of 100 islands around the country after an international court handed neighbouring Singapore a strategic islet, a minister said Monday.

The International Court of Justice last month affirmed Singapore's sovereignty over Pedra Branca, while the sovereignty of Middle Rocks was awarded to Malaysia. This has triggered fears that more unoccupied islands could be up for grabs.

"There are about 100 islands and formations in our country which need to be mapped and have their status determined," Foreign Minister Rais Yatim told reporters.

He said the islands were located in seas off Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island -- which Malaysia shares with Indonesia -- as well as off the coasts of northern Kedah state near Thailand and Johor which lies near Singapore.

"I have asked for a report to be submitted to Cabinet on the issue and that action be taken to verify each island as Malaysian property," Rais added.

The ICJ found that the Malaysian sultanate-turned-province of Johor had held the original title to Pedra Branca, but had not taken any action on Singapore's lighthouse operations there for more than a century.

Rais' comments came after newspaper reports aired fears that other islands such as Pulau Pisang, located in the strategic Malacca Straits, could also be claimed by Singapore.

Singapore also operates a lighthouse on that island as part of an agreement signed by the state's ruler and earlier British colonial authorities in 1900, although the island remains in Malaysian territory.

Rais said the government would investigate how it could take over administration of the facility.

He said: "We will do some homework first regarding the agreement prevailing over the lighthouse because as you can imagine, the situation is bound by history and we would like to do some homework." - AFP/vm

Malaysia moves to verify claims over 100 islands: Minister
Today Online 10 Jun 08;

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia plans to determine the sovereignty of 100 islands around the country after an international court handed Singapore a strategic islet, a minister said yesterday.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) last month affirmed Singapore’s sovereignty over Pedra Branca, known as Batu Puteh in Malaysia, triggering fears that more unoccupied islands could be up for grabs.

“There are about 100 islands and formations in our country which need to be mapped and have their status determined,” Foreign Minister Rais Yatim told reporters.

He said the islands were located in seas off Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island — which Malaysia shares with Indonesia :— as well as off the coasts of northern Kedah state near Thailand and Johor which lies near Singapore.

“I have asked for a report to be submitted to Cabinet on the issue and that action be taken to verify each island as Malaysian property,” Mr Rais added.

The ICJ found that the Malaysian sultanate-turned-province of Johor had held the original title to tiny Pedra Branca, but had not taken any action on Singapore’s lighthouse operations there for more than a century.

Mr Rais’ comments came after newspaper reports aired fears that other islands such as Pulau Pisang, located in the strategic Malacca Straits, could also be claimed by Singapore. Singapore also operates a lighthouse on Pulau Pisang as part of an agreement signed by the state’s ruler and the British colonial authorities in 1900, although the island remains in Malaysian territory.

Mr Rais said the government would investigate how it couldtake over administration of the facility. “We will do some homework first regarding the agreement prevailing over the lighthouse because as you can imagine, the situation is bound by history.”

Citing Mr Rais, The Star newspaper reported yesterday that the government would consult the Johor state government before negotiating with Singapore about taking over the administration of the Pulau Pisang lighthouse. — AFP