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DPM S Jayakumar Opening Statement for Singapore¡¦s Second Round of Oral Pleading at the International Court of Justice in the Case Concerning Sovereignty over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh
Country
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19 November 2007
Mr President and Members of the Court, it is my privilege to commence Singapore's second round of oral pleadings. Distractions by Malaysia 2 During Singapore's first round oral pleadings, we have f...
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Mr President and Members of the Court, it is my privilege to commence Singapore's second round of oral pleadings.
Distractions by Malaysia
2 During Singapore's first round oral pleadings, we have focused our presentations purely on legal and factual issues in dispute between the parties. We have carefully avoided mentioning extraneous matters that may affect the integrity of the proceedings before this honourable Court. In view of the good relations between the two countries, we had expected Malaysia to do likewise.
3 We are therefore surprised and disappointed that Malaysia has in her oral pleadings, made a series of allegations and insinuations against Singapore. These are of a nature which, unless rebutted, would impeach or diminish Singapore's integrity or could impress on the minds of the Members of the Court that there could be dire consequences for relations in the region if the dispute were decided in favour of Singapore.
4 It would not be right for Singapore to embark on our second round pleadings with these extraneous and prejudicial remarks remaining unanswered. These include: