Pedra Branca

Shotgun SG

What if the British did not obtain permission to build the lighthouse on Pedra Branca? It was not documented that they did, it is only assumed. Like there was no documentation of Pedra Branca ceded. What if the British just built on it thinking it was a part of Singapore? It was after all a rock. Maybe the British just built on it and simply bochup?

What would that do for our claims?

SingaporeTyrannosaur SG

Not much, in such a event, the courts will look at who has been maintaining the area over all this time. Observe the case of the Flaklands.

Atobe SG

Was the Malay Sultanate in Johor, or even in the Bintan area, aware of the extent of their territory which belonged to them?

In those early historic days, without the benefit of survey maps, navigation, GPS, etc. - what is there to assist them to determine the extent of their rule; except to be like the animals that defecate and leave their scents as they move.

During the 1500's Pre-Colonial Days, and during the 1700's onward, no one had a clue as to who owns some of the many remote islands on this globe.

It was common for the British, Dutch, Spaniards, and Portuguese gallions to drop anchor on the many remote islands - that dot an area stretching from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean - and claiming those islands for their King and Country.

Some remain in their possession to this day.

If UK still sits on Preda Branca, one wonder if the Malaysian PM and FM dare to be as vociferous as they have been towards us.

It will be doubtful if they even dare to rattle their kris towards UK, as they had done to us, being so "macho" to talk to us about "war".

They are like the bully at the corner, waiting to pick a fight with someone whom they think is just a "spectacled nerd".

There are just as many ways to skin a snake who speaks with 'fork tongue'.

SingaporeTyrannosaur SG

Heh heh heh, to put a twist Dr. M's words... Mr. Goh should go... "On the issue of Pedra Branca, there are still many diplomatic ready for us. There are many ways of skinning Malaysia."

Would be amusing, but you know how Malaysia is unacustomed about actual live verbal ammunition being fired back, and will as history has shown, be a poor sport.

Atobe SG

What can we further expect from the Malaysian Government ?

My expectations that a "Possible Reasonable Leader" from their Third Generation can be reasonable is now sadly misplaced.

The UMNO Youth Leader, Hishammudin Hussein is now talking in the same style of "Double Speak" - that seems to be a common trait with the Malaysian Malay Political Leaders.

First, he performed with great eloquent magnamity, in calling for BOTH Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to stop all accusations and let the International Court of Justice to resolve the Pedra Branca issue.

Within a Second, he perform the Malaysian Malay "Art of Double Speak", by saying that the Malaysian Marine Police and Navy should be allowed to patrol the waters off Pedra Branca, and that Singapore should not kick up a fuss.

This seems to be more of a mental handicap, then a physical one, of having a "Fork Tongue"; and seemingly practised into a fine art of hypocritical behaviour to the gullible Malaysian Malay audience.

If the Malaysian Marine Police and Navy has been patrolling with such "administrative efficiency" off the waters of Pedra Branca - in as long a time, as our Singapore Navy and Marine Police has been doing - why bother even to speak that they "SHOULD BE ALLOWED" to do so.

The illogical and contradiction of their speeches somehow never seem to be caught by their simple minded kampung folks, who hold these leaders in such high esteem.

Truly, the "Blind leading the Blind" into ignominy.

Little wonder that they need slogans such as "Malaysia Boleh" to keep their drive up, whichever blind alley they go into.

With an objective that inspire them towards a 2020 Vision, it is little wonder that they can be so blind to such Leaders whom they can be struck with awe and admiration.

BillyBong SG

Ah yes....latest...:

DEPUTY Prime Minister Tony Tan said yesterday that Malaysia should be wise and restrain its vessels from further intrusions into Singapore waters at Pedra Branca.

Otherwise, Malaysia would have to bear responsibility if its actions led to more tension and a higher risk of unintended incidents.

And the response from the media was as expected:

In an editorial yesterday, Berita Harian Malaysia said Singapore should stop making 'wild allegations' against Malaysia over the issue.

Referring to what Dr Tan had said, the Malay-language paper said that it was Singapore ships which had intruded into Malaysian waters.

Dr Tan had also expressed regret that the Malaysian government had seized on the Jan 3 navy accident off Pedra Branca to advance its claim.

Referring to that, the newspaper said: 'It is baseless and another attempt to damage ties, and tarnish Malaysia's image.'

One wonders if it is ever worth our while to bother rebutting hare-brains and govt cronies in the malaysian media....