The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said since Pulau Batu Puteh was part of the territory of the Malaysian State of Johor "Malaysian fishermen and seafarers have an absolute right to seek refuge at Pulau Batu Puteh and should not be chased away under any circumstances."

Both countries, Wisma Putra said, had begun the judicial process of resolving Singapore's claim over the island through formal submission of the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 24, 2003.

"As both countries have agreed that the issue of sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh be referred to the ICJ, giving shelter to fishermen during rough weather will not in any way affect the status of the case before the ICJ," the statement said.

Furthermore, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said providing assistance to seafarers in times of distress was a practice of all civilised countries going back centuries.

"The Government of Malaysia calls upon the Government of Singapore to refrain from chasing away Malaysian fishermen and seafarers from the Malaysian island of Pulau Batu Puteh," the statement added.
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