Malaysia and Singapore are both parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The UNCLOS, adopted as a "constitution for the oceans," has been ratified by over 160 parties, including both Malaysia and Singapore, and includes a system for the peaceful settlement of disputes. The UNCLOS recognizes the importance of protection and preservation of the marine environment and sets forth obligations for states to take measures to protect and preserve the marine environment. This obligation is outlined in Part XII of the UNCLOS, which requires states to take measures to prevent, reduce, and control pollution of the marine environment and to cooperate on a global or regional basis in formulating international rules for the protection and preservation of the marine environment. The UNCLOS also requires states to monitor and assess the effects of pollution on the marine environment and to publish reports of such monitoring to competent international organizations.

Malaysia has called on Singapore to examine the reclamations carried out in the Batu Puteh area to ensure that they are not affecting the marine environment, which states have the obligation to protect and preserve. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, stated that he has received agreement from the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, to listen to Malaysia's argument soon.

Source: Malay Mail