If only every dispute can be solved this way....

So the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Singapore has sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh while Malaysia owns Middle Rocks. Both countries had earlier pledged to abide by the decision of the ICJ that is final and not subject to appeal. This bring an end to this 28-year old territorial dispute between Malaysia and Singapore.

Pulau Batu Putih, which Singapore calls Pedra Branca, an isle no larger than half a football field, is about 14.3km from Tanjung Penyusop in Johor and 46.3km from Singapore.

Middle Rocks is about half a nautical mile from Pulau Batu Putih and 1.7 nautical miles from South Ledge.

As for the South Ledge, the ICJ ruled that it belongs to the state in whose territorial waters it is located.



Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh is a granite island on which Horsburgh lighthouse stands, while Middle Rocks consists of some rocks that are permanently above water. South Ledge is a low-tide elevation.

The reasoning that sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh belongs to Singapore are:

- In a letter dated 21 September 1953, the Acting State Secretary of Johor replied that the “Johore Government [did] not claim ownership” of the island.

- Investigation of shipwrecks carried out by Singapore within the island’s territorial waters and the permission granted or not granted by Singapore to Malaysian officials to survey the waters surrounding the island.

- The absence of reaction from Malaysia to the flying of the Singapore ensign on the island, the installation by Singapore of military communications equipment on the island in 1977, and the proposed reclamation plans by Singapore to extend the island, as well as a few specific publications and maps.


The reasoning that sovereignty over Middle Rocks belongs to Malaysia are:

Singapore’s position that sovereignty over the features goes together with sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh do not apply to Middle Rocks. It therefore finds that original title to Middle Rocks should remain with Malaysia as the successor to the Sultanate of Johor.

If only every dispute can be solved with sound reasoning and respect for each other like this, this world will be a better place with less blood shed.

Thomas Cup Final: China vs Korea

For this final, we will be seeing a lot of the negative character of the World Badminton scene. Needless to say, the Korean's strategy that put victory ahead of sportsmanship in a sports game like badminton is one of them. Though some may call it tactical brilliance, but I would call it the failure of the WBF. WBF make this tactical brilliant!

The Korean squad is on the verge of creating history by becoming the first Korean team to lift the Thomas Cup. But more interestingly, if they won, they would also be the 1st champion to lose all their group matches. How ironic isn't it?The team that finish last in Group B are on the verge of being Champions. And I'm glad the media highlighted this, as their act should not go unnoticed.

Besides that, we will also witness the World Number 1 who beat up his own coach, and trying to fight with other team's coach. Probably not the best ambassador for the sports as well.

In today's game, the Korean definitely have a chance to win it! But they must win it as soon as possible. If the tie goes into third single, China's World Number 4 Chen Jin will surely have the edge over Shon Sheung Mo.

Lin Dan also had some not so convincing result against Park Sung Hwan, and he is surely not unbeatable as he is beaten by Lee Chong Wei



As for the 1st double, the Korean is clearly stronger and have the edge. If the Korean can obtain the 1st two points, they have a great chance to win it.The Korean top doubles pair Jung Jae-sung-Lee Yong-dae are optimistic over their team’s chances of upstaging two-time defending champions China today.

South Korea's team manager Kim Jong Soo confirmed that the Koreans would retain the same line-up from the semi-finals and added that the strategy for the final would be to rattle the Chinese by taking the first two points of the tie. I certainly agree with him.

Thomas Cup: Malaysia 2 China 3

The result is out. The current Thomas squad will not emulate the squad of 1992. It has been 16 years since Malaysia last win the cup. Though we failed to win the cup again, we as Malaysian should be proud, at lease we come down fighting, unlike the unsporting Korean.

Don't get me wrong, I hold no grudge against the Korean, but their way of planning out their route to semi final is unsporting, and should not exist in sports. But the root of the problem, I feel, lies in the competition format. They should have look into this possibility before introducing the format. If football can make a format that make every team play their best out, why Thomas Cup can't?

I hope they can learn from their mistakes, so that the next Thomas Cup can be played fair. Back to the defeat, here is the result.

Lee Chong Wei beat Lin Dan 21-12, 21-14

Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong lost to Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng 16-21, 17-21

Wong Choong Hann lost to Bao Chunlai 18-21, 7-21

Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari beat Xie Zhongbo-Guo Zhendong 21-17, 21-15

Muhammad Hafiz Hashim lost to Chen Jin 12-21, 16-21

How's your 7th day of May looks like?

The 7th day of May, 2008 just passed. I had an ordinary day, waiting for supervisor for hours, walking around, and did some applications to a certain quarter. Yesterday is always history. Historically, 7th of May is the day of birth and death of some, and also the discovery of the tomb of Herod The Great or some other great events like marriage.

It was not the best of days, but certainly not the worse. I spent some time watching drama. Ironically the title of the drama is "The Seventh Day". While watching the drama "The Seventh Day", I can't help but think: well, I had a ordinary day, but surely, there are someone who had a wonderful day, probably the best day of his/her life on the 7th of May 2008. Someone, at somewhere, at some time in the day.

Looking back, so how was your 7th day of May? Was it a day great day, ordinary or bad day?

Reviving Komtar,

Though I am no Penangites, but I still feel for the current state of condition of Komtar. Recently Komtar has been in the news, with plans to revive it. I certainly hope they have a plan that really work.

When I was younger, I was really anxious to visit Komtar, with their tallest building status, and the majestic view of it even from far. It was the pride of not just Penangites, but also Malaysians, though I'm not sure how many people share my sentiment.

But in recent years, or maybe longer, I cannot find any reason to drop by that area anymore. I will still go to the Prangin Mall there, but certainly, that mall is not the most glamorous place that cannot be missed. And the main building... looks old, deserted, and has no match to any other shopping complex in Penang. Komtar certainly need a facelift, if not maybe they can transform it into a museum. But there are certainly some of the things that should remain, like the clock showing time of some of the major cities in the world, but at lease, with a touch of modern impression and brightness. I don't understand why it is a bit darker inside there, maybe because there are so less stalls to light up the mall.

I read from the newspaper that, Komtar masterplan was meant to prevent the inner city from becoming an urban slum. For this, I'm really impressed with former Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu's vision. From what I observed, urban slum happened in many major towns, but nothing has been done by those state or town council. Whether these town councilors do not have the vision of Tun Dr Lim, or it is another failed implementation of a great plan.