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.