Why is there yet to be an official statement from the Malaysian government, on the withdrawal of claim for Pulau Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca), asked MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong. 

In a statement today, the Ayer Hitam MP also urged the government to provide justifications for the withdrawal of the claim for the disputed territory. 

"Even though Malaysia is directly involved in the claim for Pulau Batu Puteh, the majority of local news reports are quoting Singapore's Ministry for Foreign Affairs. 

"The new government is yet to make any statement. Even if a foreign minister is yet to be appointed, the country's sovereignty is important, especially to Johor, which is directly impacted (by the decision). The new government should not keep mum on the issue," said Wee. 

Last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced that Malaysia had officially dropped its request to overturn its 2008 ruling which awarded legal jurisdiction of Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore.

This came after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Malaysia might reconsider its fresh applications in the dispute.

Wee further asked the government to provide grounds for the withdrawal of the claim. 

"The Attorney-General's Chambers had said in 2017 that it has found three fresh evidences pertaining to the claim. The ICJ website had also uploaded statements that the new evidences submitted by Malaysia were based on three historical documents found in the United Kingdom national library. Why were these pieces of evidence put aside?" Wee asked. 

Wee's remark comes following his BN colleague, and former Johor menteri besar, Mohamed Khaled Nordin's statement that the withdrawal was improper – given the absence of a functioning attorney-general – as well as a “moral defeat” for the country.

Withdrawal a 'big mistake'

Meanwhile, PKR's Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has termed Mahathir's decision to withdraw Malaysia’s appeal in the sovereignty dispute a "big mistake."

In a statement on his Facebook page, Hassan urged the Mahathir administration to proceed with the appeal at the ICJ.

"In my opinion, the prime minister's recent decision to withdraw the appeal is a big mistake.

"The appeal should be continued, as now there is fresh evidence,” he said.

"I am of the opinion that matters pertaining to the country's sovereignty, such as the Pulau Batu Puteh case, should not be taken lightly, let alone compromised," he wrote.

"Pulau Batu Puteh is a part of Johor, and an independent Malaysia.” he added.