Published September 5, 2008
Razaleigh voices dismay at Pedra Branca decision
By PAULINE NG IN KUALA LUMPUR

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TENGKU Razaleigh Hamzah, a contender for the presidency of Umno, has voiced his unhappiness over the outcome of an international court's decision to award Pedra Branca to Singapore, and suggested arbitration proceedings are incomplete because Johor was not made a party to it.

Tengku Razaleigh: Interests of Johor were never brought to the attention of the ICJ
'I am deeply dismayed that the interests of the state of Johor were never brought to the attention of the court,' the Kelantanese prince said in comments to Foreign Minister Rais Yatim in a letter dated Sept 3 which was also released to the media.
'Perhaps I should point out to you that Malaysia is a federation of sovereign states and Johor retains territorial jurisdiction on some matters, including its territorial seas. This interest is paramount.
'Johor has a right to be a party to these proceedings and to seek the necessary variations, particularly in relation to sovereignty over the seas surrounding Batu Putih, which has always been in the hands of Johor and never surrendered to the British government nor to Singapore.'
Tengku Razaleigh's letter comes in the wake of a joint statement by Mr Rais and Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo on Monday that both countries would honour and abide by the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Pedra Branca (Batu Putih), Middle Rocks and South Ledge, and would fully implement its decision.
In the joint statement, both countries agreed to complete technical preparations for a joint survey of the area so as to enable further discussions on how the territorial seas in the area are to be delimited.
One of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's most vocal critics, Tengku Razaleigh has described his leadership as weak and lacking the credibility needed to keep the country together.
Such political gamesmanship is common, analysts say, and Tengku Razaleigh's current posturing is no different.
'It is a populist view he is adopting and I think he has a right to it,' said Universiti Teknologi Mara professor of law Shad S Faruqi.
'Basically Singapore won because Johor people had not kept their important papers properly. But both parties agreed to international arbitration, so the decision has to be observed,' he added.