ICJ: Singapore notified on discontinuance of Pedra Branca proceedings

SINGAPORE: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has informed Singapore of the discontinuance of proceedings in the two cases brought by Malaysia against the republic relating to its 2008 original Judgment in the cases concerning sovereignty over Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement here yesterday, the ministry said that Malaysia informed the ICJ on May 28, 2018 that it would discontinue the proceedings that it had initiated earlier.

“Singapore informed the ICJ on 29 May 2018 that it agreed with Malaysia’s request for discontinuance.

"Prior to that, the Malaysian Solicitor- General had written to inform Singapore’s Attorney-General of Malaysia’s intention to discontinue the proceedings, and Singapore’s Attorney-General had replied conveying Singapore’s agreement,” said the Ministry.

The first case was Malaysia’s application for revision of the ICJ’s original Judgment pursuant to Article 61 of the Statutes of the ICJ, filed on Feb 2,2017.

The second case was Malaysia’s request for interpretation of the ICJ’s original Judgment pursuant to Article 60 of the Statutes of the ICJ, filed on June 30,2017.

In letters dated May 29, 2018, the statement said the ICJ informed Malaysia and Singapore that the Court had placed on record the discontinuance, by agreement of the Parties, of the proceedings instituted on Feb 2, 2017 and June 30, 2017 by Malaysia against Singapore, and directed that the cases be removed from the Court’s List.