Batu Putih: Johore UMNO government sleeping on the job

Johor PAS lodged a police report today against former foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar for having been ‘careless’, resulting in the loss of sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore. MCPX Also named were two key individuals who were alleged to share responsibility in the matter - Johor Menteri Besar Ghani Othman (right) and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail (left). Johor PAS information chief Mazlan Alimin, who was accompanied by about 30 people, said the government had been careless and irresponsible in allowing Singapore to occupy the uninhabited island. “They did not do anything against Singapore when it constructed buildings and a light house on the island,” said Mazlan after lodging the report at central police station in Johor Baru. “This (gave the impression that) the government had recognised Singapore as the owner (of Pulau Batu Puteh).” Last Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favour of Singapore, in the 28-year sovereignty dispute with Malaysia over Pulau Batu Puteh, a strategically-located island about half the size of a football field. Mazlan said Johor PAS has been fighting to stake sovereignty over the island since 1992, by submitting a number of memoranda to the government. It has also held protests at the Pulau Batu Puteh jetty. While he said he respects the ICJ decision, Mazlan noted that “this is an embarrassing result” for Malaysians.