The government of Malaysia followed the advice of foreign legal experts to not proceed with an International Court of Justice (ICJ) review on Pulau Batu Puteh’s sovereignty, according to a court filing.

A report by Free Malaysia Today cited documents that then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad believed the review with ICJ needed to be discontinued due to implication of cost as well as in the interest of the country

“After taking into account the views of international legal experts, national interest, including cost implication, the first defendant (prime minister) is of the view that there is no need for continuation of the review application...