Defusing calls by Malaysian politicians for the Government to send warships to the island, the Prime Minister said:

“We wish to avoid a confrontation. We’re not about to wage war with anyone ... We’re not giving in, but we’re not looking for a reason to engage in battle.”

He was speaking to reporters after attending the Prime Minister’s Department’s open house here.

His remarks came in the wake of angry reaction from politicians and non-governmental organisations lambasting Singapore over reports that the island republic was continuing development and construction on the disputed island.

Recently a group of journalists from Johor were reportedly chased away by a Singapore naval vessel.

Barisan Youth chairman Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein had, on Wednesday, asked the government to consider sending military personnel and warships to the island.

Prior to his call, the movement sent a memorandum to the Singapore government, protesting against its latest move on the rocky outcrop 15 nautical miles off Pengerang in Johor.

Earlier in the week, Dr Mahathir had said that “short of going to war,” there was little Malaysia could do to deal with the situation.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had also said that Malaysia would not use military might and would rather go to the International Court of Justice or use diplomatic channels to resolve the dispute.

Asked whether Malaysia was admitting defeat, Dr Mahathir replied: “(It is) not admitting defeat. (We are) just not looking for (any) reasons to go to war.”

On claims by Singapore that it had a stake on the island because it had built a lighthouse there, Dr Mahathir said the republic must submit such claims to the ICJ.

Asked what Malaysia would do if Singapore refused to sign an agreement to bring the dispute to ICJ, he replied:

“When the time comes, we will think (about it).”

Dr Mahathir had repeatedly said that Malaysia was ready to bring the matter to the ICJ but Singapore had yet to come up with necessary documentation to support its claims.

On reports that the Public Complaints Bureau had received many reports on red tape at land offices all over the country, Dr Mahathir said the government would conduct a study to find their weaknesses

On the move by some political parties to collect donation for sekolah agama rakyat, he said if they solicited donation from their own members, the government could not do anything.

“If they start collecting from the public and go against the laws, we can take action,” he added.

Also present at the open house were his wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Chief Secretary to the government Tan Sri Samsuddin Osman.

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