On behalf of CIL, IPS and ST Press, CIL Deputy Director Dr R. Navin hosted the launch of the book “Malaysia and Singapore: The Land Reclamation Case – From Dispute to Settlement”, by authors Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh, Dr Cheong Koon Hean, CEO of Housing Development Board (HDB), and Judicial Commissioner Lionel Yee, and jointly published by the Centre for International Law, The Straits Times Press and the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS on 5 August 2013. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law Mr K. Shanmugam was the Guest-of-Honour. The launch was also graced by Mr. S. Jayakumar, Mr. Mah Bow Tan, Mr Chan Sek Keong, Mr Pang Khang Chau (AGC), Mr Han Fook Kwang (Managing Editor, Straits Times), A/P Robert Beckman (CIL Director), Mr Arun Mahizhnan (IPS) and other dignitaries.
The book tells the story of Singapore’s first experience in defending its legal rights before an international tribunal when Malaysia had asked the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to stop the reclamation projects at Tuas, Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. The three authors, Ambassador-at-Large Professor Tommy Koh, Dr Cheong Koon Hean and Judicial Commissioner Lionel Yee, were principal members of the team that represented Singapore before ITLOS. During the launch, they shared their experiences and how this has become a very important piece of history for Singapore. The book is now available in all major bookstores in Singapore and can be ordered through the ST Press online bookstore by clicking here.