Why Is Singapore Contesting the Claim over Pedra Branca with Malaysia? How Has This Issue Affected Relationship Between the Two Countries? How Would It Affect Bilateral Ties Once the Decision Is Announced by the International Courts of Justice in ...
INTRODUCTION
Origins of the Dispute
The dispute over Pedra Branca between Singapore and Malaysia originated on 21 December 1979 when Malaysia published it’s Map Showing the Territorial Waters and Continental Shelf Borders and for the first time included Pedra Branca within her territorial waters. In a response to the 1979 map, Singapore lodged a protest against it on 15 February 1980, rejecting Malaysia’s claim and requesting it to recognise Singapore’s sovereignty over Pedra Branca. The note also reiterated that no country has ever questioned or contested Singapore’s sovereignty over the island. Since then, there have been a series of bilateral exchanges, in the hope of solving the problem of ownership of Pedra Branca. After failing to resolve this problem bilaterally, both Singapore and Malaysia signed a Special Agreement on 6 February 2003, formally notifying the International Court of Justice of their decision to submit the dispute to the Court for arbitration. Written memorials were submitted by both sides to the Court in 2004 before commencing oral proceedings on 6 November 2007. Oral proceedings formally ended on 23 November, initiating the Court’s deliberations over the case.
SINGAPORE’S REASONS FOR OWNERSHIP OF PEDRA BRANCA
Singapore is contesting Malaysia’s claim over Pedra Branca for several reasons, for purpose of clarity and organization; the reasons will be organized into three sections. The official reasons cited in the International Court of Justice written and verbal arguments, reasons that stem from Singapore’s foreign policy and strategic reasons
Official Reasons Singapore disputes Malaysia’s claim over Pedra Branca because the construction and maintenance of the Horsburgh Lighthouse in 1851 by the British colonial government was a mark of sovereignty over the island. It also maintains that it has been exercising sovereignty through the “consistent, open and effective display of State authority” over Pedra Branca and it surrounding
Origins of the Dispute
The dispute over Pedra Branca between Singapore and Malaysia originated on 21 December 1979 when Malaysia published it’s Map Showing the Territorial Waters and Continental Shelf Borders and for the first time included Pedra Branca within her territorial waters. In a response to the 1979 map, Singapore lodged a protest against it on 15 February 1980, rejecting Malaysia’s claim and requesting it to recognise Singapore’s sovereignty over Pedra Branca. The note also reiterated that no country has ever questioned or contested Singapore’s sovereignty over the island. Since then, there have been a series of bilateral exchanges, in the hope of solving the problem of ownership of Pedra Branca. After failing to resolve this problem bilaterally, both Singapore and Malaysia signed a Special Agreement on 6 February 2003, formally notifying the International Court of Justice of their decision to submit the dispute to the Court for arbitration. Written memorials were submitted by both sides to the Court in 2004 before commencing oral proceedings on 6 November 2007. Oral proceedings formally ended on 23 November, initiating the Court’s deliberations over the case.
SINGAPORE’S REASONS FOR OWNERSHIP OF PEDRA BRANCA
Singapore is contesting Malaysia’s claim over Pedra Branca for several reasons, for purpose of clarity and organization; the reasons will be organized into three sections. The official reasons cited in the International Court of Justice written and verbal arguments, reasons that stem from Singapore’s foreign policy and strategic reasons
Official Reasons Singapore disputes Malaysia’s claim over Pedra Branca because the construction and maintenance of the Horsburgh Lighthouse in 1851 by the British colonial government was a mark of sovereignty over the island. It also maintains that it has been exercising sovereignty through the “consistent, open and effective display of State authority” over Pedra Branca and it surrounding