When it comes to gauging public reaction to the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Pulau Batu Putih, the blogs have become my best resource as I try to overcome this feeling of “terkilan”, sort of like that empty feeling after you lost something that you’re not supposed to and you wonder what happened. Among the multitude of mindless postings in blogosphere I found some real gems that are thoughtful, thought provoking, balanced, objective and well articulated that makes for interesting reading. I highlight the following:
* A Bittersweet Pedra Branca Victory for Singapore
* Bercermin Dari Pulau Batu Putih atau Pedra Branca Jadi Milik Singapura
* Pedra Branca (..atau Pulau Batu Putih)
* Pulau Batu Putih: Rewarding Singapore Thru Legal Channels?
I looked through the articles you highlighted and I agree – they are very fairly written. I also find it interesting that a well-balanced blog articles are almost never commented upon, but write a spicy one that leans towards negativity, and hey presto! Beribu-ribu komentar!
I could be wrong.
Munira, like most things in herd mentality, it is often a case of “monkey see, monkey do”. Hey, I ain’t gonna get millions of hits but it does not matter. Blogging helps me get these loud arguments out of my head and may help put the “bigger” picture in focus. I find it so funny that in many of the strange postings, some weird reference will be made to Pak Lah, Umno and BN. Hhhhmmmm……did they take a look at the date on that ill-fated letter? As one commentor on one of the blogs (Malaysia Waves) mentioned, Singapore was not even born in 1953. Heck, the island nation was torn into existence much later in 1965, so WTF?? How can they be awarded territory based on a letter that gives them what they never had a right to claim in the first place?
At any rate, I do wonder how come that letter carries so much weight despite historical evidence that Pulau Batu Putih rightfully belongs to Johore. When one makes a claim for any property, one would need proof of ownership such as a land deed or some legal document duly signed and stamped. In this case, there was only this letter that was not signed as per normal protocol, and the historical inaction to exert sovereignty on Malaysia’s part, that simply gave our territory away by “foreigners” on the ICJ without so much as a thank you.
I feel miffed by the thought that even in this modern age, we can’t even lay claim to what is rightfully ours without having to get foreigners to decide for us. Imagine having been hospitable to a relative whom you had to turn out of your home for misbehaving and, after you let them live on a piece of your property across the road that you generously gave away to keep the peace, this arrrogant and greedy relative turns around and says they want your nice gateway too, so they can keep their property safe when the gate is just outside your front door and far away from theirs?
It does not make sense to me at all. Why put so much weight on one letter? Was this the one evidence they needed to deny Malaysia their sovereign rights? Despite historical evidence to the contrary, the court wanted to award it to Singapore, whatever evidence we presented, and let Malaysia be damned! The Indonesian blogger, Imbalo, in my list had every right to be concerned that the same could happen to their own islands.
I agree with learned counsel Karpal Singh (the lawyer not the politician, even if he is the same man, he is a true professional) when he questions if Malaysia was ill-advised to turn to the ICJ. The decision was made in 2003, and we know who was still PM then but those anti-government detractors don’t seem to care if they got their facts right. They just shoot from the hip and aim blindly. Sigh, and we were hoping for some maturity! On those komentar, have you read the majority of them? A load of crap that makes me quite puzzled as to how people can think that way…..err, it makes for some bizarre entertainment in a demented sort of way though!!!
I know that lots of visitors come by my blog looking for information. Even if they don’t leave comments, I do try to provide credible information, especially on issues as important as this. History was made with this landmark decision and we must learn from it.
Salam
Bagaimana Malaysia……………….. kalau aku jadi PM A Badawai………….. air ke Singapura tak kualirkan lagi………. putus aja kontraknya………………tapi apa boleh ya…????
Kawan – kawan di Indonesia banyak komentar bagaimana sakitnya perasaan orang Indonesai saat Sipadan dan Ligitan di serahkan “orang Belanda” ke Malaysia……………
Hampir sama kasusnya…………
Orang Johor sabar ya……………….kami sudah duluan merasakannya.
Bung Imbalo, terima kasih atas peringatan anda. Terang2 saya mengakui tidak pernah mengikuti kasus Sipadan dan Ligitan. Kemungkinan kasus Pulau Batu Putih lebih terasa hampir. Sedih sekali bila dikenang zaman silam dan sejarah kini memperingatkan kita betapa pentingnya negara terus mempertahankan kemerdekaannya.
Senarai kepulauan Indonesia yg sebegitu panjang sekali yang masih dipertikaikan kedaulatannya membikin saya sedar betapa penting kasus Pulau Batu Putih ini. Terima kasih sekali lagi kerana sudi berkongsi maklumat ini menerusi blog anda dan memberi komen diblog saya ini.
Salam kembali
editorially says : I absolutely agree with this !
Salam
Pa kabar tembam…………….. Batam sehat-sehat selalu
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Kabar baik aja pak!
Namun masih terpaksa mencari langkah jimat cermat dalam menghadapi krisis harga petroleum yang kian hari kian meruncing. Bagus juga dikurangkan makan, badan sihat dan tembam nya menurun…..aahhh, terpaksa kena tukar nama blog ini nanti heh, heh!!!
Salam mesra
Salam
Sabah “bergolak” lagi…………….. adakah PM dapat bertahan sampai ke penghujug Desember 2008?
Salam Pak,
Ya, ada desas-desus politiknya disini tapi tak sehebat mana. Kemungkinan itu suatu perkara yang agak jauh lebih rumit dari Pedra Branca. Buat masa ini masih banyak perkara yang lebih menekan saperti harga bahan bakar dan kesan ekonomi global.
Pada pandangan saya PM mengambil banyak langkah2 pragmatis. Yang bikin kecoh hanya mereka yang berkepentingan politik. Buat rakyat jelata, biasa aja. Saya sendiri sokong PM kerana orangnya berhemah. Tentang konco2nya lain pula cerita. Biasakan? Kancah politik ini sentiasa penuh kepura-puraan.
iya………..iya…………..kalau soal kasus…….cik Anwar Ibrahim?
mungkin kah itu…………..sampai ke pengadilan?
Ahhh Pak, itu suatu drama yang sedang dipertontonkan kepada dunia. Siapa heronya, siapa villainnya masih belum nyata kerana semua saling tuduh menuduh dan saman menyaman sehingga isu sebenar terkeliru. Sampai atau tidak ke muka pengadilan duniawi ini masih belum pasti. Yang pasti hanya mahkamah Allah yang adil seadil2nya.
salam
pa kabar.cik kite dah masuk parlimen
Maaf Pak Imbalo, saya tiada dalam negara ketika peristiwa itu berlalu. Saperti yang saya katakan, dia lebih wajar menjadi pemimpin di America bersama teman akrabnya Gus Dur.