Why did Mahathir say the “reclaim Singapore” report lacked context?

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Mahathir Clarified Remarks on Singapore and Riau Islands Were Meant Sarcastically

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad stated that a report claiming he said Johor should reclaim Singapore and the Riau islands was taken out of context. The report, published by The Straits Times on June 20, misrepresented his speech by omitting the sarcastic intent behind his words. Dr Mahathir clarified that he was not advocating for Malaysia to claim lost territories but rather highlighting the nation's misplaced focus on minor territorial disputes.
Remarks Intended as Mockery

Dr Mahathir explained that his comments were intended to mock the idea of reclaiming territories, not to seriously propose it. He stated that his point was to illustrate how Malaysia was overly concerned with the loss of a small island, Pulau Batu Puteh, while overlooking larger historical territories that were once part of the nation. This emphasis on a minor loss, he suggested, demonstrated a lack of appreciation for actual gains.
Focus on Larger, More Valuable Territories

He further elaborated that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had awarded more significant territories, Pulau Ligitan and Sipadan, to Malaysia. These islands are considerably more valuable than Pulau Batu Puteh, which he described as merely a "rock outcrop." Dr Mahathir expressed gratitude that Indonesia had not disputed Malaysia's claim over Pulau Ligitan and Sipadan, underscoring the importance of these awards.
Historical Context of Pulau Batu Puteh Ruling

The ICJ had ruled in 2008 that Pedra Branca, also known as Pulau Batu Puteh, belonged to Singapore, while sovereignty over the nearby Middle Rocks (Terumbu Karang Tengah) was awarded to Malaysia. The Malaysian government, during Dr Mahathir's premiership, had initially filed an application to review this ICJ decision in 2017. However, this application was subsequently withdrawn by the Pakatan Harapan government before it could be heard in June 2018.

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Why did Mahathir say the “reclaim Singapore” report lacked context?

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