Mahathir plans Malaysian island on Middle Rocks near Singapore
Move follows decision by Malaysia’s new leader to drop opposition to an International Court of Justice ruling that awarded another outcrop, Pedra Branca, to the Lion City – Singapore says it’s ‘happy to agree’
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s latest set of sweeping policy reforms announced on Wednesday has put neighbouring Singapore in the spotlight, as the recently elected leader confirmed the cancellation of a highly anticipated high-speed rail project between the two countries and revealed a surprise plan to build an island near the city state’s territorial waters.
Mahathir told a press conference about plans to “enlarge” Middle Rocks, a rocky outcrop in the Singapore Strait that was awarded to his country in 2008 following a lawsuit over Pedra Branca, a nearby island in the strategic waterway.
Malaysia last year filed a review of that ruling, but the ICJ on Wednesday said that Mahathir had withdrawn that application, which had been submitted by the government of the former prime minister Najib Razak.
“It is our intention to enlarge Middle Rocks so we can form a small island for us,” Mahathir told reporters after chairing his second cabinet minister since coming to power in the May 9 general election. The 92-year-old premier did not provide further details.