Dispute over Batu Puteh to continue?

Malaysian-Singaporean relationship is likely to hit another bad patch - thanks to the island state's initiative to claim for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for Batu Puteh, or known as Pedra Branca across the causeway.

Singaporean daily Today quoted Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Balaji Sadasivan who disclosed in parliament the republic's intention to declare territorial rights in accordance to United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea (Unclos).

According to the UN convention, states can claim economic exclusivity of up to 200 nautical miles from their lands and islands, although territorial claims are limited to 12 nautical miles.

An expert in Southeast Asia politics Dr Aruna Gopinath said that the matter requires delicate handling as both the countries are part of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean).

"Surely it has to be done in the Asean way, any decision must be discussed by both parties," she told Malaysiakini.

The head of politics and international relations department in a local private university stressed that consensus was crucial to avoid confrontation.

Overlapping claims

Barely two months ago the International Court of Justice (ICJ) put an end to a 29-year-old dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over the 8,560 square metres island.

The ICJ favoured Pedra Branca to Singapore while handing a nearby rock formation, Middle Rocks to Malaysia. The two territories are only 0.6 nautical miles apart.

Therefore Singapore's EEZ claim is likely to be disputed by Malaysia, as it will overlap Malaysia's own territorial space.

"From an aerial view both the islets are not very far away and if Singapore is to apply for EEZ, it has to get Malaysia's consent," said Aruna.

"Two parties have to talk things over to achieve consensus as there is much to consider. When Pedra Branca was given to Singapore there was a lot antagonism especially from fishermen who were most affected.

"Unlike most Asean countries Malaysia and Singapore share a closer relationship in term of history. We have families and friends there and we are closer to Singapore than with any other country," she added.

Attempts to contact Foreign Minister Rais Yatim for comment failed as he is presently attending a conference in Singapore.