New sub-committee to discuss maritime boundaries of Pulau Batu Puteh

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to set up a new sub-committee to discuss the delimitation of maritime boundaries

of Pedra Branca or Pulau Batu Puteh as it is known to Malaysians, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, the rocky outcrops in the seas of both countries.

This was agreed at the Seventh Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee (MSJTC) meeting on the implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judgment on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge held in Singapore for two days since Thursday, stated a joint statement by Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman  and his Singaporean counterpart, K Shanmugam, which was issued here yesterday.

The statement said the meeting also held informal consultations on the establishment of this sub-committee, which is set up following an agreement between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib

Tun Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong at the Leaders’ Retreat in Singapore last Febuary that the next step would be for the MSJTC to move into the delimitation of maritime boundaries.

The Malaysian delegation to the meeting was led by Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Othman Hashim while Singapore’s by its Foreign Affairs Ministry’s permanent secretary, Chee Wee Kiong.

The statement said the meeting also continued discussions on related issues arising from the ICJ Judgement on the matter, and it also agreed that its Eigthh Meeting be held next year. — Bernama