KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA said Monday it has issued an official warning to Singapore over its territorial claims surrounding a disputed rocky outcrop, in the latest quarrel between the neighbours.
After a two-decade wrangle, the International Court of Justice in May confirmed Singapore's ownership of Pedra Branca, while handing the nearby Middle Rocks outcrop to Malaysia.
Last month, a Singapore minister said its maritime territory around Pedra Branca extended for up to 12 nautical miles, and claimed an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the island - which is half the size of a football field.
That would mean Malaysia would have limited access to the waters around the Middle Rocks, which falls within the zone.
'The Singaporean foreign ministry has been warned through a protest note that what it is doing is against the spirit of Asean and the legal structure,' Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said, according to official news agency Bernama.
He reportedly told parliament that Malaysia issued the note to fellow Asean member Singapore on the sidelines of a recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meeting.
'Whatever the circumstance, Singapore's claims of up to 12 nautical miles of their maritime borders and an EEZ for Batu Puteh is unacceptable and unreasonable and contradicts the principles of international law,' Dr Rais said.
'Singapore's actions in conveniently declaring the maritime zone as well as the EEZ at Batu Puteh... is very regrettable,' he added.
Dr Rais later told reporters that the cabinet had decided last week to show its sovereignty over the Middle Rocks and on the South ledge outcrop, whose sovereignty has yet to be determined.
'This means that we should fly the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) in both the rocks. The discussions between the technical committee of both Singapore and Malaysia will continue,' he said.
Pedra Branca's sovereignty is one of many bilateral issues that have tested relations between the neighbours, which have been tense since Singapore left the Malaysian Federation in 1965.
Malaysia has said it will continue to look for further evidence on the Pedra Branca case, which could be used to review the ICJ judgement. -- AFP
