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AHTS sinks off Terengganu
Kuala Lumpur - Alam Maritime Resources today told Malaysia’s stock exchange that one of its vessels, Setia Mega, had sunk while sailing from Kemaman Supply Base to Dulang B Oilfield. The 496gt Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel went down at 1020 local time in the vicinity of Resak Platform after taking on a large quantity of water in adverse weather conditions, says Alam’s statement. Resak Platform is off the coast of Terengganu. All 14 crew members were rescued by a nearby vessel when the ship sank. The extent of the vessel’s damage, however, is still being assessed. The vessel belongs to Alam Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alam Maritime Resources. It is on a seven-year time-charter contract to Petronas Carigali. It has a contract option of a further three years, for a sum of approximately $14M. The company, meanwhile, has despatched another vessel to assess and contain any detrimental effects to the environment. Alam is currently suspending the ship from operations until the vessel is salvaged. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Limited 1999 - 2006.
BPMB sees RM1.7b maritime loans by year-end by Tamimi Omar
Kuala Lumpur - Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd (BPMB) aims to give out a total of RM1.7 billion maritime loans for this year, an increase of RM300 million from RM1.4 billion as of last month. BPMB vice president and head of group services Aladdin Mohamed Lip said the bank saw a great opportunity in the maritime industry amid the boom in the oil and gas (O&G) sector. Its total loans amounted to RM17 billion as at Oct 30, 2007. He said the recent price crude oil price hike to nearly US$100 (RM338) per barrel would fuel the demand for deep-sea exploration and the bank would be giving out more loans to maritime companies involved in the O&G industry. “We do not see oil prices going down anytime soon and the need for such vessels would only increase as companies continue to search for gas and oil to meet world demand,” he said at a signing ceremony between BPMB and Ageo Marine Sdn Bhd (Ageo) here yesterday. Ageo, a unit of the Orogenic Group, had accepted a Bai Bithaman Ajil loan facility from BPMB to cover 78% of the acquisition of a RM30 million vessel, MV Orogenic Geos, which is being built by Eastern Marine Shipbuilding Sdn Bhd in Sarawak and is scheduled for completion in May 2008. The vessel will be used to carry out the offshore geotechnical investigation and survey works for its O&G clients in Southeast Asia. Orogenic Holdings Sdn Bhd executive chairman Ziyad Elias said the group planned to build another RM30 million vessel by the end of next year. “This is our first vessel; we currently charter two to three vessels,” Ziyad told reporters after the signing ceremony yesterday. Orogenic, which operates in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh and China, offers six services, including data management, geological laboratory, survey and positioning, mud logging and gyroscope, integrated exploration and production consultancy and geotechnical services. Ziyad said the group had an order book of RM200 million that would last for three years, including contracts with oil majors such as Petronas, Shell and Murphy. He said the group revenue for 2006 was RM120 million and its geotechnical services business was the highest revenue contributor with RM30 million. © 2006 The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd.
IMO bypasses UN on Somali piracy
London - The IMO Assembly today signed a new resolution appealing directly to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government to act to stop piracy and armed robbery off its coasts, and specifically asking for to allow warships pursuing pirates into its territorial waters. The 167-member Assembly is the IMO's governing body. The resolution also specifically calls on East African governments, in co-operation with the IMO, to conclude a regional agreement against piracy and armed robbery against ships, the organisation said in a statement today. Governments are called on to issue their fleets with specific guidelines for protection against piracy when trading off Somalia, and ships are urged to report any attempted attacks to nearby coastal states and to the nearest MRCC. Governments are further asked to instruct appropriate agencies to broadcast advice and warnings on reported pirate attacks through the World-Wide Navigation Warning Services, International SafetyNet Service or other means to warn nearby shipping. “They are also asked to provide a point of contact through which ships may request advice or assistance and to which such ships can report any security concerns,” the press release says. The resolution comes after moves by the IMO and the UN Security Council earlier this year eliciting official Somali responses to the piracy issue. The full text of the resolution, which has emerged from the IMO's 25th Assembly this week, will appear on the organisation's website, www.imo.org. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Limited 1999 - 2006
Indonesia retains IMO Council seat
Jakarta - Indonesia’s re-election to the powerful IMO Council is seen as recognition of its commitment to maritime reform under IMO framework. Director-General of sea transportation, Effendi Batubara, pointed out that Indonesia has ratified as many as 20 IMO conventions and will be discussing ratification of conventions relating protection of marine environment. Indonesia is emerging as a significant crew supply source and is on the IMO White List. Training is high on the agenda of maritime reforms being discussed in Parliament. Other South-East Asian countries elected to the 20-member ‘C’ category are Malaysia, The Philippines and Singapore. These countries join 20 others elected in Category “A’ and ‘B’ groups. The 40-member Council is the executive organ of the IMO, whose 25th session of the General Assembly is being held from 19 to 30 November. The IMO comprises a total of 167 member states and three associate members. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Limited 1999 - 2006.
Malaysian port charges under fire
Kuala Lumpur - A legislator has slammed Malaysia’s cabotage policies, claiming they cause increased port charges in Sabah and harm competitiveness. “When a full load cargo comes into the port and leaves as empty we still wind up paying charges. We don’t want any cabotage policies. Amend the cabotage policy and investors will come in,” Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, Jainab Ahmad told Fairplay. Ancillary costs in THC, emergency bunker charges and Sabah port congestion surcharges are negating the benefits arising from reduced freight charges. Ahmad said she will seek intervention so that shippers can sell their goods cheaper: “We want the Transport Ministry to regulate the charges. We are asking [them] to speak to ship owners and about shipping charges,” she continued. Ahmad, who was addressing Sabah’s State Assembly, also criticised the Cabotage Policy under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952. It prohibits foreign vessels or those without licences from the Malaysian Shipping Licensing Board from moving cargo from one port to another in the country. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Limited 1999 - 2006.
MISC profits dip as costs rise
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia’s biggest shipping company, MISC, has reported a slight drop in profits for Q2 ending 30 September, 2007. Profit before tax slipped 4.5% to RM665M even as turnover shot up 13% to RM3Bn. “The decrease (in profits) was mainly due to escalating operational costs in the form of charter-hire, crewing and bunkers accompanied by softening fright rates,” MISC has explained. Improved performance from liner and offshore businesses helped “mitigate” lower freight rates. MISC, which is a subsidiary of government owned oil and gas giant Petronas is mainly focused on carriage of crude oil and LNG. The latest LNG contract includes a 15-year arrangement to supply Osaka Gas with 920,000 metric tonnes per year through LNG tankers owned and operated by MISC. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Limited 1999 - 2006.
MISC’s MMHE to cushion softening freight rates by Gan Yen Kuan
Kuala Lumpur - MISC Bhd expects increasing contribution from its wholly owned engineering arm Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MMHE) to mitigate the impact of softening freight rates on its oil shipping business. The national carrier had seen rising demand for fabrication of deepwater oil and gas facilities and marine repairs amid intensifying exploration and production (E&P) activities, said its president and chief executive officer Datuk Shamsul Azhar Abbas. “We remain bullish about MMHE’s prospects as high oil prices provide the impetus for E&P activities. MMHE’s business has been redefined to focus on oil and gas engineering and construction, marine conversion and marine repair. “Together with the Offshore Business Unit (OBU), MMHE will help mitigate the impending short-term softness in petroleum and container shipping segments,” he told The Edge Financial Daily in an email reply. Last Thursday, MISC reported a 6.4% decline in net profit in its second quarter ended Sept 30, 2007, to RM639.26 million, due to escalating operational costs coupled with softening freight rates on the back of surplus capacity. The continued decline of freight rates for oil shipping was largely due to the oversupply of tonnage as more vessels come on stream. MMHE is running almost at full capacity, thus MISC has put in place an expansion plan, reportedly to cost RM1.5 billion, to grow the former’s yard capacity and capabilities over the next four years. As at June 30, 2007, MMHE’s order book stood at RM3.5 billion, of which RM3.25 billion was for engineering and construction (with an average completion period of 24 months), while RM275 million was for marine repair (average completion period of 11 months). For the financial year ended March 31, 2007 (FY07), MMHE accounted for 12% of MISC’s revenue of RM11.2 billion, and 6% of operating profits of RM3.25 billion. In order to tap into the high-end vessels segment in the region, Shamsul said MMHE had enhanced its repair capabilities to include oil and gas related facilities, such as the repair of oilrigs and semi-submersibles and supply vessels. MMHE also entered into a joint venture with Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd in April 2006 for dry-docking and servicing of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. As for the operations of OBU, Shamsul said MISC intended to broaden its product base from floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) and floating storage and offloading (FSO) facilities to other types of floating production facilities. “We plan to expand our footprint beyond Malaysian waters, either on our strength or through partnerships. We like this business, as it takes us further up the value chain and provides us with stable fixed rate fixed term income,” he said. In FY07, OBU contributed 2% of MISC’s revenue and 1.1% of operating profit. On the rising crude oil price, which is approaching US$100 (RM338) per barrel, Shamsul said the company saw no immediate negative impact on its shipping business, as there was little correlation between shipping rates and oil prices. “But if the global economy collapses as oil price hits US$100, it will of course have a negative impact on shipping and everything else commercial, as it impacts consumer spending and global GDP (gross domestic product) at large. “Demand for oil could be negatively impacted; thus, tonne mile demand for shipping services as well,” he added. Meanwhile, MISC’s long-term LNG shipping contracts would expire as early as 2014 and as late as 2027, Shamsul said. As such, the company is continuously sourcing for new contracts from its parent Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and third parties. MISC is the world’s largest LNG carrier. On its chemical shipping business, Shamsul said the prospects for the chemical trade over the mid- to long-term looked promising with the relocation of base chemical plants out of Europe into the Middle East and the expansion of oil palm acreage. “Being Malaysia-based, we are able to capture palm oil trade from both Malaysia and Indonesia (collectively the largest palm oil producers in the world) to programme maximum vessel utilisation together with the base chemical trade,” he said. He said chemical shipping was set to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 6% to 8% for vegetable oil trade, and 4% to 6% for base chemical trade, over the next five years. “Undemanding newbuilding orders point towards firm and relatively stable rates for the medium to long term,” he added. With a strong cash pile of RM2.18 billion at end-June, Shamsul said MISC was also constantly looking for mergers and acquisitions opportunities, but without particular preferences. “Yes, if the strategic fit warrants it and at the right price,” he said. The last major acquisition MISC made was AET Ltd in 2002. On the planned US$750 million bond issue, which has been put on hold since June, Shamsul said it might reconsider the fund raising plan when the market stabilised. “We do require the funding for our expansion plans but are not desperate for immediate funding. We do have other options to consider as well,” he said. © 2006 The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd.
Mitropoulos re-elected at IMO
London - Efthimios Mitropoulos has today had his re-appointment confirmed as secretary-general of the IMO. His tenure will now run till 31 December 2011. In his acceptance speech, he stressed the need to continue with initiatives currently in hand rather than look for new policies. He stressed “environment-related instruments” and in particular efforts to cut atmospheric pollution from ships, while insisting on “retaining the safety of life at sea as IMO’s principal objective “. He also warned against complacency in maritime security, though his emphasis on stopping piracy and armed robbery would have pleased seafarers. In what was inevitably a politically neutral speech, Mitropoulos touched upon all of the IMO’s current workload, putting equal stress on “goal-based standards… the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and on all matters pertaining to seafarer safety… LRIT… the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme… the safety of non-Convention ships… accident investigations… the human element… Port State Control non-compliance… and promoting and raising the profile, environmental consciousness and, thus, the quality of international shipping”. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Limited 1999 - 2006
Pedra Branca issue gets its day in court by Lydia Lim
The hague (Netherlands) - A 28-Year sovereignty dispute between Singapore and Malaysia over the island of Pedra Branca will get a public airing in an international court here today. Ambassador at Large Tommy Koh presents Singapore's opening arguments this morning before the 16 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He is part of a formidable legal team that will provide evidence and demonstrate that Singapore has had sovereignty over the islet located at the eastern entrance to the Singapore Strait, some 40km from the Republic. Also speaking during hearings at the Peace Palace, where the ICJ is located, will be Deputy Prime Minister and Law Minister S. Jayakumar, Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and Attorney-General Chao Hick Tin. On the team too are four foreign counsel - all experts in international law - acting for Singapore in the case before the court. Set up by the United Nations in 1946, the court settles legal disputes between states in accordance with international law. Yesterday, on the eve of the big day, the 33-strong Singapore delegation, which includes officers from the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were in good spirits. They have been huddled here in the Dutch royal capital since last week. Professor Koh said yesterday the team has been working very hard. 'We're well prepared. The morale of the team has been very high and we look forward to presenting our case to the court,' he said. The hearings will last three weeks. The order of appearance was decided by drawing lots. Singapore will have the privilege of going first, but Malaysia will have the last word. Over four days from today, Singapore will present its evidence and arguments to show it has sovereignty over Pedra Branca and two outcrops in the area - the Middle Rocks and South Ledge. Malaysia opens its case next Tuesday and like Singapore, has four days to present its evidence and arguments. Then in the final week of the hearings, Singapore gets two days to rebut Malaysia's arguments and wrap up its case. Similarly, Malaysia will have two days to do the same. This is Singapore's first appearance before the ICJ. ince its establishment, the court has heard well over 100 cases, including many disputes over territory and maritime boundaries. Singapore's only other appearance before an international court was in 2003. Then, a team led by Prof Koh argued successfully before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for Singapore's right to continue reclaiming land off Pulau Tekong. This was in the wake of a stop-work order filed with the tribunal by Malaysia. The Pedra Branca case has a far longer history. The dispute dates back to 1979, when Malaysia first laid claim to the football field-sized islet, atop of which sits the Horsburgh Lighthouse. Singapore lost no time in protesting against that claim. Since then, the issue of Pedra Branca has slid in and out of the spotlight, sparking intermittent verbal skirmishes between tough-talking leaders and officials on both sides, and at sea between fishermen and Singapore naval patrols. In 1989, with no bilateral settlement in sight, Singapore proposed the disagreement be referred to the ICJ. At that time, Malaysia was in the thick of a similar sovereignty claim with Indonesia over Pulau Sipadan and Ligatan, two islands to the east of Borneo. That case eventually went before the ICJ which, in December 2002, found in favour of Malaysia. The court ruled on the basis of the range of actions that Malaysia carried out on the islands over many years, which showed its intent to exercise state functions over them. These actions ranged from building lighthouses to regulating the collection of turtle eggs. Ironically, Singapore is likely to depend on similar arguments in its claim to Pedra Branca. It has exercised sovereignty and administered the island since the 1840s, when the British colonial government built the Horsburgh Lighthouse there. Singapore has also built other facilities, including a water desalination plant and a helicopter pad. Until today, Singapore's marine ensign flies atop Pedra Branca. In August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said unresolved bilateral issues such as Pedra Branca were best settled according to international law and treaties. 'Because that's non-contentious and both sides can accept it, and it doesn't lead to any loss of face or commitment,' he said then. In recent months, leaders on both sides have also declared their intent to accept and abide by the court's ruling. Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar reiterated the point last Saturday. Speaking at a Hari Raya event in Kota Tinggi in Johor, he urged Malaysians to accept the ICJ's decision even if it went against Malaysia. He said Malaysians should be tolerant, and not raise other actions and complicate matters if the court ruled in favour of Singapore. The three weeks of hearings here are the result of three rounds of written pleadings that Singapore and Malaysia exchanged between March 2004 and November 2005. A judgment is expected next year. © The Straits Times (Singapore).
PTP, environ group to develop Sungai Pulai into world class maritime
Kuala Lumpur - Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) and the Johore branch of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) have agreed to cooperate in developing the Sungai Pulai estuary into a world class maritime centre. In a statement here today, PTP chairman, Datuk Mohd Sidik Othman, said the decision to build a second port in Johor at the mouth of Sungai Pulai was not by chance but by choice. "There could not have been a more strategic location to develop a mega port capable of competing with the best in the region other than at the mouth of Sungai Pulai. "This is because the Sungai Pulai mouth is located at the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia and the confluence of the international trade lanes which go right into one of the world's busiest route, the Straits of Malacca," he said. Mohd Sidik said the success of the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) would depend largely on the logistics capabilities and efficiency it could provide. "An efficient integrated logistics will be one of the pillars driving a successful IDR. "Being one of the major components making up Johor's integrated logistics hub, not only the future development of the port, but also the development of the area surrounding the port complete with marine-related industries and supporting facilities is crucial," he said. He said the success of PTP would not only bring revenue and value to Johor but would also contribute tremendously to IDR's success and help Malaysia achieve its vision of becoming a fully developed nation by 2020. "The fully developed PTP will also bring about other strategic values to Johor like the setting up of new businesses, creation of more jobs and attract more skilled labour," he said. He said the two parties would embark carry out a study on the unique bio-ecology system of the estuary. "Only after we have known the bio-diversity of the area, we will be able to plan our conservation projects with the help and advice of our experts from MNS," he said. © 2007 BERNAMA.
RM900mil loans for maritime industry
Kuala Lumpur - Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd expects to approve loans totalling RM900mil for the maritime sector this year, according to group services vice-president Aladdin Mohd Lip. He said the bank aimed to spearhead the development of the maritime sector, particularly in the oil and gas sector. “Up to October (this year), we have approved more than RM650mil for the sector, which has a total portfolio of RM1.4bil,” he said after the signing ceremony of Bai Bithaman Ajil loan facility of RM18.2mil to Ageo Marine Sdn Bhd yesterday. He said the bank anticipated its total portfolio to reach RM1.7bil by year-end. Bank Pembangunan is a development financial institution supporting the country's strategic sectors, such as infrastructure, maritime and high technology. “Infrastructure is the biggest sector that contributed about 88% to our total loan portfolio of RM17bil (for all sectors) to date,” Aladdin said. It was estimated that there were 253 offshore oil and gas platforms in the upstream sector, and they presented great opportunities to the offshore support vessels and services companies, he said. Ageo Marine is a subsidiary of integrated geosolution and engineering specialist Orogenic Holdings Sdn Bhd. Orogenic executive chairman Ahmad Ziyad Elias said the loan facility was to part finance the purchase of its first vessel costing RM30mil. The vessel, due for completion in May 2008, will be used by Asian Geos Sdn Bhd, another Orogenic unit, for offshore geotechnical drilling and sampling works. “We plan to purchase a similar vessel costing about RM30mil next year. We do not discount obtaining another loan facility from Bank Pembangunan,” Ziyad said. The group was currently bidding for projects worth a total of about RM300mil, he said, adding that it now had an order book worth RM200mil. The group, which has been servicing major oil companies in South-East Asia, the Middle East, India, Turkmenistan, China and South Korea, is now penetrating Europe. “We anticipate our group revenue to increase from RM120mil in the financial year ended Aug 31 (FY07) to RM156mil in FY08,” Ziyad said, adding that 40% of the revenue in FY07 was from overseas. According to Ziyad, the group expects to record annual revenue of RM239mil in five years. © 1995-2007 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Singapore former PM calls for more Mideast-Asia co-op in energy
Singapore - Singapore's Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said Wednesday the Middle East and Asia can deepen their cooperation in the energy field. Speaking at the Middle East and Asia Energy Summit, he said that for a start, the Middle East and Asia could co-invest in energy infrastructure. As energy demand continues to climb, adequate long-term, supply-side investments must be made to meet this demand, he said. The rising demand for natural gas also presents new investment opportunities for both regions. "Investments in liquified natural gas (LNG) production and receiving terminals will be required to support the growth of this new industry," said the former prime minister. He added that Asia and the Middle East should do their parts as stakeholders to ensure a stable and efficient gas market. He said the two regions can cooperate in the area of energy research and development (R&D). This would be in the areas of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, or in green technology to mitigate global warming. Energy security is another area that both sides can cooperate further to ensure the safety and security of vital energy transit routes, Goh suggested. The Straits of Malacca is an especially important energy sea-lane for Asia. About 60 percent of China's imported oil, as well as 90 percent of Japan's and 80 percent of South Korea's, passes through the Straits from the Middle East. "Any disruption would have far-reaching consequences for the global economy," said Goh. Finally, Goh added that both regions should encourage inter-regional energy dialogue through conferences to help enhance confidence and understanding. © Xinhua News Agency.
Singapore says Malaysia has no evidence to show it owns Pedra Branca
The Hague - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun the hearing on the sovereignty of Pedra Branca island on Tuesday. And Singapore has argued that Malaysia has no evidence to show that it owns the island. In fact, Singapore set out to prove that Malaysia never regarded Pedra Branca as its territory. Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh laid out the agenda as he opened the first day of hearing at the ICJ at The Hague. The Singapore team of over 30 members was all prepared and armed with geographical maps, which were flashed periodically inside the courtroom for the judges to see as the team pleaded the case. "In 1979, for the first time, Malaysia published a map purporting to place Pedra Branca within the Malaysian territorial sea, giving rise to the present dispute. The dispute has been an irritant in the bilateral relations between our two countries," said Prof Koh. Singapore argued that Pedra Branca island and its two outcrops of Middle Rocks and South Ledge rightfully belong to the Lion City. And Professor Koh stated that Singapore owns the island and has consistently maintained and exercised its sovereignty. One example he brought up in court was a letter written by Johor in 1953 and was sent to Singapore then. The Johor government said Pedra Branca did not belong to them in the letter. Professor Koh said Malaysia claims that the British sought permission from Johor to build the Horsborough Lighthouse, but it never provided any evidence to support that. Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong also spoke on the first day of the hearing. He laid out facts and evidence to show that Malaysia has portrayed an inaccurate account of the history concerning the ownership of Pedra Branca. He cited how Malaysia had argued that Pedra Branca was actually part of the Johor Sultanate from time immemorial. He said that such argument was "no more than clutching at straws without any evidence to proof". Attorney-General Chao Hick Tin just spoke on the geographical setting and gave background of the dispute to the judges. He also played an audio recording of Malaysia's former prime minister Tun Hussein Onn from a news conference with Singapore's then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew in May 1980. In that audio clip, Tun Hussein Onn then admitted that the question of sovereignty over Pedra Branca was not very clear to Malaysia. Singapore's international counsel Alain Pellet also made his arguments in French as the last speaker wrapping up Tuesday’s session. He rebutted Malaysia's claim of an original historical title for Pedra Branca. Professor Pellet will continue his arguments on Wednesday followed by the other international counsels for Singapore. © 2007 MCN International Pte Ltd.
World court hears Malaysia, Singapore isle dispute by Foo Yun Chee
The Hague - The U.N.'s highest court started hearings on Tuesday into a dispute between Malaysia and Singapore over the sovereignty of three islands which lie close to key shipping lanes. The two countries agreed in 2003 to refer their territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after years of talks. They have a history of bickering over issues ranging from water supplies to transport links. Both countries claim sovereignty over a chain of three rocky islets located strategically on the eastern entrance of the Singapore Strait, about 15 km (10 miles) off peninsular Malaysia's southern coast. The main rocky outcrop -- 137 metres by 60 metres -- is known as Pulau Batu Puteh in Malaysia and Pedra Branca in Singapore. The court will also determine the status of two other nearby islets known as Middle Rocks and South Ledge. Singapore claims sovereignty of Pedra Branca as it is the successor to Britain, its former colonial ruler, which acquired sovereignty more than 100 years ago by building a lighthouse on the outcrop, lawyers for Singapore told the court. "Singapore has for more than 150 years acted in a manner entirely consistent with sovereignty concerning Pedra Branca," Singapore's ambassador-at-large Tommy Koh told the court, packed with legal and media representatives from both countries. He said Malaysia, also a former British colony, had not opposed the claim, which was recognised by third countries. "In 1979, Malaysia for the first time published a map purporting the islets in Malaysian territory, giving rise to the dispute," said Koh. Singapore also claims sovereignty over the other two neighbouring outcrops as they lie in the same territorial waters as Pedra Branca, he said. Malaysia is confident it will be able to respond fully to Singapore's factual and legal arguments when it presents its case from Nov. 13, Malaysia's ambassador to the Netherlands, Noor Farida Ariffin, told Reuters. She said Malaysia had won a court case against Indonesia in 2002, also involving a dispute over some islands. The hearings will continue to Nov. 23. The ICJ or the World Court was set up in 1946 to resolve disputes between states. Its rulings are final and cannot be appealed. The court usually takes several years to rule on border and territorial disputes. (Editing by Catherine Evans) © The Straits Times (Singapore).
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