What legal actions are proposed against the Batu Puteh decision?

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Legal Recourse Proposed for the Batu Puteh Decision

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has called for legal action to be taken against what he termed a "betrayal" that led to Malaysia losing Batu Puteh. He specifically criticised the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government's decision to withdraw a review application concerning the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling on the Batu Puteh claim, describing it as a mistake and a dark moment for the nation's sovereignty.
Call for Legal Action Against "Betrayal"

Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stated that legal actions should be pursued against the individuals responsible for the decision that resulted in the loss of Batu Puteh. He expressed this sentiment during his winding-up speech at the Johor State Assembly, emphasizing that a sovereign nation cannot afford to treat matters of national sovereignty lightly or carelessly. The Mentri Besar highlighted that the ICJ itself had acknowledged that Batu Puteh was historically part of the Johor sultanate.
Criticism of the Withdrawn Review Application

The core of the proposed action stems from the PH government's decision in 2018 to withdraw an application for a judicial review of the ICJ's decision on Batu Puteh. Onn Hafiz Ghazi questioned the advice received by the government at the time, particularly noting that the Attorney General was on leave when this "reckless decision" was made. He underscored that this matter is of significant concern to Malaysians, especially the people of Johor, and impacts national dignity.
Concerns Over Maritime and Fishing Rights

Beyond the legal and political implications, the loss of Batu Puteh has raised practical concerns for the state. Onn Hafiz Ghazi pointed out that while the island is small, its strategic maritime location is crucial, situated closer to Johor than to Singapore. He highlighted that Malaysian fishermen have reportedly been instructed to leave areas near Batu Puteh by Singaporean authorities, affecting their livelihoods. This situation is further complicated by the proximity of Malaysia's Batuan Tengah to Batu Puteh, potentially leading to overlapping maritime claims.
Ongoing Developments and Sovereignty

The Mentri Besar also alluded to ongoing developments, noting reports of Singapore undertaking reclamation work on Batu Puteh. This is occurring while the final determination of maritime borders remains under negotiation, adding another layer of complexity to the issue of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. This situation has been a point of concern for the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who had previously expressed disappointment with the 2018 federal government decision.

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What legal actions are proposed against the Batu Puteh decision?

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