The Treasure Island Tussle
For decades, the island of Bidadari in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago has been at the center of a heated dispute between Malaysia and Indonesia. The conflict revolves around the ownership of Pulau Batu Puteh, also known as Pedra Branca, which lies just off the coast of Singapore. While both countries have their Playson own claims to the island, the situation remains contentious.
The History of the Dispute
The origins of the dispute can be traced back to the 19th century when the island was a British territory. In 1847, the British East India Company transferred sovereignty over the island to Singapore as part of its administration. However, when Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957, it inherited the claim to Pedra Branca.
Indonesia, which had declared its own independence from the Dutch in 1945, also laid a claim to the island. The country’s map, published by the Indonesian government in 1979, included Pulau Batu Puteh as part of Indonesian territory. This move was seen as an attempt to assert Indonesia’s sovereignty over the island.
The ICJ Ruling
In 2005, Malaysia and Singapore submitted a joint memorial to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) requesting that the court settle the dispute between them. The ICJ ruled in favor of Singapore on February 23, 2008, stating that Pedra Branca was part of Malaysian territory.
However, Indonesia refused to accept the ruling, citing procedural objections and questioning the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the case. The Indonesian government argued that it had not been party to the dispute and therefore could not be bound by the ICJ’s decision.
Indonesia’s Claim
Despite the ICJ’s ruling, Indonesia has maintained its claim to Pulau Batu Puteh. In 2010, the country submitted a map to the National Geographic Society showing the island as part of Indonesian territory. The move was seen as an attempt by Indonesia to challenge Singapore’s sovereignty over Pedra Branca.
In recent years, tensions between Malaysia and Indonesia have escalated over the issue. In 2018, the Malaysian government accused Indonesia of "unilaterally" declaring that Pulau Batu Puteh was part of Indonesian territory. The statement sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries, with Indonesia denying any wrongdoing.
Singapore’s Position
Singapore has consistently maintained that it inherited sovereignty over Pedra Branca from Malaysia and therefore owns the island. In 2008, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that his country had a clear title to the island, supported by historical records and international law.
However, in recent years, there have been suggestions that Singapore may be willing to compromise on its claim to Pulau Batu Puteh. In 2019, the city-state’s foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, indicated that his country was open to discussing a resolution with Indonesia.
The Regional Implications
The dispute over Pedra Branca has significant implications for the region. Singapore and Malaysia have long-standing ties, with both countries sharing a border and cooperating on various economic and security issues. The ongoing tussle over Pulau Batu Puteh threatens to undermine these relationships and create tensions within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Indonesia’s refusal to accept the ICJ ruling has also raised questions about its commitment to resolving disputes through international law. If Indonesia is able to successfully challenge the ICJ decision, it could set a precedent for other countries in the region to follow suit.
Conclusion
The dispute over Pulau Batu Puteh remains one of the most contentious issues in Southeast Asia. Despite repeated attempts at resolution, both Malaysia and Indonesia continue to maintain their claims to the island. The situation highlights the complexities of border disputes in the region and the need for countries to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve these issues.
The ongoing tussle over Pedra Branca serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor disputes can have significant regional implications. As tensions between Malaysia and Indonesia continue, it remains to be seen whether either country will be willing to compromise on its claim to Pulau Batu Puteh.
