Malaysia and Singapore are continuing negotiations on maritime boundary issues, including Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca), with discussions guided by international law, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said talks involving Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge were being managed through established bilateral mechanisms, including annual leaders’ retreats, to resolve overlapping maritime boundary areas in a coordinated manner.

“These negotiations are not just about one issue; there are many areas involved, which are maritime boundary areas between the two countries.

“On Batu Puteh, we are governed by the decision or judgement of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2008,” he said during Minister’s Question Time.

Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN–Tampin), who asked about the security situation in the waters around Batu Puteh as well as the steps taken and planned by the government.

He said the Department of Maritime Affairs director-general had met Singapore officials yesterday amid ongoing negotiations on maritime boundary matters.

In 2008, the ICJ ruled that Batu Puteh belonged to Singapore, while Middle Rocks was awarded to Malaysia, and that ownership of South Ledge would be determined based on the delimitation of territorial waters.

In 2017, Malaysia applied to review the ICJ’s ruling, but the application was withdrawn in May 2018.

Mohamad said Malaysia and Singapore continued to negotiate on how to address maritime boundaries, including areas involving overlapping maritime zones.

“That is why both our countries hold annual leaders’ retreats and negotiate together on how we want to resolve the maritime boundary between Malaysia and Singapore,” he said.

He added that any future decisions must be based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

“If it involves maritime boundaries, then it must be based on UNCLOS 1982. That is our foundation,” he said.