Mahathir Says Malaysia Should Claim Rights Over Singapore-Indonesia Riau Islands
On June 21, Straits Times reported that former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Singapore used to be the state of Johor. and the state of Johor should claim rights over Singapore. to return to Johor and Malaysia
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Mahathir said “however There is no need for Singapore. We show our appreciation for the leadership of the new country we call Singapore.”
Mahathir also said that The Malaysian government considers Malaysia’s win over the islands of Sipatan and Leekitan Off the coast of Borneo from the fight against Indonesia The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is worth more. compared to the renunciation of Pedraranga Island which is a stone the size of a table for Singapore
“We should demand not only that Pedraranga Island or Pulau Batu Puteh in Malaysia back to us but should also call on Singapore and the Riau Islands (Now it belongs to Indonesia) as it is a Malay land (Tanah Melayu),” Mahathir added and called applause from the audience.
Mahathir Mohamad / ASTRO AWANI
The 96-year-old former prime minister spoke on Sunday, June 19, at an event in Selangor state. organized by many NGOs Under the umbrella of the Congress for Malay Survival and the title of the work I am Malay: Survival Begins (I am Malay: Survival Begins)
Mahathir spoke at the opening remarks. which was broadcast live on social media saying The Malay Territory was once vast, stretching from the Kra Isthmus in southern Thailand all the way to the Riau Islands and Singapore. But now it is confined to the Malay Peninsula.
“I wonder if the Malay peninsula will belong to someone else in the future,” Mahathir said. Malaysia today does not belong to Bhumibut. This is because many Malays are still poor and tend to sell their own land.
“If we find that we are wrong We should correct these mistakes. So that our land is still the land of the Malays,” Mahathir said.
Historical Malay Territory / Wikimedia Commons
The International Court of Justice ruled in 2002 that Leekitan and Sipatan Island belonged to Malaysia. and not belong to Indonesia. Later in 2018, the International Court of Justice ruled that Pedraranga Island belongs to Singapore. while sovereignty over the neighboring Middle Rocks Island belongs to Malaysia.
And in 2017, Malaysia petitioned the International Court of Justice to amend this ruling. But in May 2018 after Mahathir returned to be Prime Minister again Malaysia announced the termination of the petition.
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