Third Rock from the Peninsular

Singapore conquers Pulau Batu Puteh

A fitting headline, I feel. One small island gaining an even smaller piece of rock. Two countries spending millions of dollars to settle a squabble over a collection of sea rocks. How apt that the protagonists are Malaysia and Singapore.

When I first read about this issue some time back, I came under the impression that PBP or Pedra Branca was some exotic island straddling the Malaysian-Singaporean maritime border. It turned out to be an outcrop, one of three outcrops, in fact. The other two are Middle Rocks and South Ledge. How very patriotic of these two neighbours to be fighting for every square inch of land possible, all for the sake of one upmanship.

Once the dust settled, the ICJ ruled in favour of Singapore. However, Malaysia was given sovereignty over Middle Rocks, while the South Ledge is up for further negotiations. That's the status quo as of 30 May 2008.

Is it then a coincidence that the Malaysian government is planning to ban sale of petrol/ gasoline/ diesel to foreign-registered vehicles? Yes, vehicles from Thailand, which form a major source of income for northern petrol stations, will also be affected. But the real losers would be the Singaporeans and Malaysian PRs in Singapore.

To those not familiar with the relationship quirks between Malaysia and Singapore, hundreds of Singaporean motorists head to JB during the weekend and fill their tanks up before returning to Sterile Land. More accurately, the tanks are ¾ full, the legally permissible level. Which is why petrol kiosks stationed in JB city proper reap millions of ringgit every year. The South Siders will now have to seek alternative sources of cheap petrol. Perhaps using sewage water recycled into fuel? Or taking a ferry to Indonesia, maybe? And of course, Malaysian PRs in Singapore would not be exempted. After all, they're viewed as treacherous traitors here in Malaysia. Or that's the impression one gets when reading public opinions on this matter.

But yeah, back to the Rocky Saga. The ICJ decision has apparently triggered panic among Malaysian cartographers who are now scrambling to map all islands in Malaysian waters. And the government is planning to populate vacant islands, islets and outcrops with people and structures to prevent further encroachment by Singaporean raiders. Not that the Malaysian public has ever been aware of the existence of such formations on our increasingly-polluted waters. Most of the 'rakyat' interviewed have stated displeasure over the loss of the rocks and have demanded national pride be restored. No, this will not mean better Proton cars. Neither will it mean cleaner public toilets. No siree, this points only way - more Singapore bashing.

As J.Lo put it aptly, "don't be fooled by the rocks that I got…"

For those who have never been to Pulau Batu Puteh (courtesy of Wiki):