Mahathir Mohamad Clarifies Statement On Riau Archipelago Claims

JAKARTA - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad clarified his remarks regarding Malaysia's claim to the Riau Islands and Singapore.

In his written statement, Mahathir said his remarks had been taken out of context, and reports about what he said at the meeting with the Malays were inaccurate.

"I'm not asking Malaysia to claim the land we've lost," he said, as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, June 24.

Mahathir wanted to say they were very worried about losing a stone the size of a table but never worried about the bigger part of Malaysia being taken from them.

"Losing Batu Puteh Island is not a big problem. It is the fault of the Johor Government to deny that it belongs to Johor. If that refusal had not been carried out, there would be no dispute now," he said.

Mahathir said Malaysia should be grateful the world court gave Ligitan and Sipadan islands to them. These islands are much more valuable than Batu Puteh Island.

According to him, Malaysia should be grateful that Indonesia does not have a problem with the gift. "Really we are not grateful for that advantage".

Previously, it was widely reported that the former Malaysian Prime Minister said that Malaysia should claim Singapore and the Riau Islands as part of the Malay Land which has historical relations with Malaysia.