Sim Bak Heng New Straits Times 14 Oct 13;
JOHOR BARU: The Consulate-General of Singapore stated that Singapore has never disputed Malaysia's sovereignty of Pulau Pisang, off Pontian.
Singapore, however, does have the right to operate and maintain the lighthouse on the island.
In a statement, consul Nicholas Lee said under an indenture dated Oct 6, 1900, the Sultan of Johor granted the governor of the Straits Settlement the right, in perpetuity, to operate and maintain the lighthouse on a specific spot of ground on the island, which remained under the Sultan's sovereignty.
"The lighthouse was operated and maintained by the government of the Straits Settlement, and later by Singapore, which continues to do so up to the present.
"The Singapore government has consistently said that Pulau Pisang belongs to Malaysia, and has never disputed Malaysia's sovereignty," he said.
Lee was commenting on an article in the Streets "Agro Plan for Island" dated Oct 4, which stated that "In 2010, the 178ha Pulau Pisang was declared as part of the Johor Sultanate, ending years of dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over the ownership of the island off Pontian coast.
In the article, it was reported that the Johor Farmers' Organisation (JFO) wants to develop Pulau Pisang as a new centre for agro-tourism activities.
Such a move, besides helping to increase agriculture output, could also attract more tourists into the state.
