ICJ awards Pedra Blanca to Singapore, Middle Rocks to Malaysia
Singapore has won sovereignty over a disputed island while Malaysia has been awarded control over a series of above-water rocks, in a ruling by the UN judicial organ.
By Agencies |
NEW YORK: Singapore has won sovereignty over a disputed island while Malaysia has been awarded control over a series of above-water rocks, in a ruling by the UN judicial organ on a maritime dispute between the Asian neighbours.
In a 12 to 4 judgment, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Pedra Blanca/Pulau Batu Puteh, a granite island in the Straits of Singapore, belongs to Singapore and has done so since at least 1980, when the dispute between the two countries started.
In the case of Middle Rocks, which consist of a group of rocks that are permanently above water, the ICJ which sits in The Hague in the Netherlands ruled 15 to one in favour of Malaysia.
The court also noted that South Ledge, a nearby low-tide elevation, falls within the apparently overlapping territorial waters generated by Pedra Blanca/Pulau Batu Puteh and by Middle Rocks.
Given that the two countries have not asked the court to draw the line of delimitation, the judges said, by 15 to one, that sovereignty belongs to the State in the territorial waters of which it is located.
Also known as the World Court, the ICJ hears disputes between States and its decisions are binding and there is no appeal.
In a 12 to 4 judgment, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Pedra Blanca/Pulau Batu Puteh, a granite island in the Straits of Singapore, belongs to Singapore and has done so since at least 1980, when the dispute between the two countries started.
In the case of Middle Rocks, which consist of a group of rocks that are permanently above water, the ICJ which sits in The Hague in the Netherlands ruled 15 to one in favour of Malaysia.
The court also noted that South Ledge, a nearby low-tide elevation, falls within the apparently overlapping territorial waters generated by Pedra Blanca/Pulau Batu Puteh and by Middle Rocks.
Given that the two countries have not asked the court to draw the line of delimitation, the judges said, by 15 to one, that sovereignty belongs to the State in the territorial waters of which it is located.
Also known as the World Court, the ICJ hears disputes between States and its decisions are binding and there is no appeal.
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