In a strongly worded statement, PAS Youth today criticised Singapore's decision to continue its reclamation works at Tuas, Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin, and questioned why the Malaysian government is passively allowing Singapore to "step on its head".

Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said the action indicates Singapore's "disrespect" for its neighbour and ignores the fact that an international tribunal will on Wednesday decide on application by Malaysia for a temporary stop order on reclamation works in the Tebrau Straits.

Malaysia has applied to the Hamburg-based International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea for provisional measures, prior to full arbitration on whether Singapore has the right to reclaim the land surrounding Tuas and Pulau Tekong.

Malaysia argues that the land reclamation activities will cause environmental pollution, in addition to hampering the access of ships to Malaysian ports.

"(Singapore's action) is akin to Israel, which not only disrespects, but also violates the rights of its neighbours," said Salahuddin.

"We question the attitude of the BN government in placing too much importance on being chummy with its neighbours, to the point of allowing Singapore to step all over Malaysia."

Call for action

Salahuddin called on Malaysia to cut all diplomatic ties with the island-state and tell its high commissioner to leave, as well as raise the issue at the upcoming 9th Asean Summit in Bali in order to increase pressure on Singapore.

"The excuse (that the reclamation) is for industry and defence purposes is not a reason (as to) why the rights of neighbours have to be breached and the environment destroyed. Singapore should stop all works immediately until the tribunal comes to a decision," he said.

Bernama

yesterday reported that both Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had expressed "regret" over Singapore's actions, but added that there was nothing more that Malaysia could do except to wait for the tribunal's decision.

"I regret that they continue to do it. And they will continue to do it because they always want to be ahead of us. We will continue to protest and they will continue to do it," Abdullah was quoted as saying.