‘Document proving Johor’s ownership of Batu Puteh exists’
(The Star) – There is a historical document stating that Pulau Batu Puteh belongs to Johor, according to a former state civil service officer.
Former chief assistant director (management) of the Johor Public Works Department Dr Hashim Yusoff (pic) said this in support of Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar’s call for a special team to appeal against the International Court of Justice ruling, which gave the island to Singapore.
Dr Hashim, 59, said he personally saw the document while serving as the deputy registrar at the Johor Land and Mines Department.
“The agreement between the Johor Ruler and the Straits Settlement specifically states that any island about 40 miles (64.3km) from the coast of Johor belongs to the state.
“It also specifically states that Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh) and Pedra Inca (Pulau Pisang) in Pontian belong to Johor,” he told The Star yesterday.
He said the file, with the document, was deemed lost for 15 years, but during a major clean-up of the office in 1991, it was discovered and kept in a vault.
“I thought that it would be tendered during the 2008 ICJ (International Court of Justice) hearing but was shocked when the island was given to Singapore,” he said.
Dr Hashim, who has also worked as the assistant district officer in Pengerang during his 38 years in the government, said Pulau Batu Puteh was strategic for Singapore to expand its exclusive zone, collect dues from shipping and even increase its airspace.
“I am willing to be part of any committee to help Johor get the island back,” he said.
He added that before Pulau Batu Puteh was handed over to Singapore, Johor had 18 islands, 15 of them around Mersing.
The Ruler said that the decision favouring Singapore was a result of outsiders (non-Johoreans) handling the case.
“Outsiders do not understand the history of Johor and I still remember my late father telling me that Pulau Batu Puteh belongs to Johor and must be retained as part of the state,” he said.
Since the ICJ decision, many parties had urged the Government to appeal against it, but no formal appeal has been made as yet.
