Suddenly, a small island emerges from the sea. It is Pulau Nipa. This island plays a crucial role in the maritime boundary between Singapore and Indonesia.
Pulau Nipa was once a navigational signpost. Mariners used it to guide them through the Singapore Strait. This strait connects the South China Sea to the Straits of Malacca. It was a vital waterway.
Old maps show Pulau Nipa as “Tree Island”. The Dutch called it “Boompjes Eilant”. This translates to “Trees Island”. The island marked the safest channel for ships. They were traveling from the Straits of Malacca to the South China Sea. The waters around Singapore were treacherous.
James Horsburgh described Pulau Nipa in his sailing instructions. He noted it was a bank of rocks and sand. It barely rose above the high water mark. Two small trees or bushes stood on it.
Until recently, Pulau Nipa fit this description. At high tide, it was only 0.62 hectares. During low tide, it expanded to about 60 hectares.
In 2003, concerns arose about Pulau Nipa’s existence. Sand dredging threatened to submerge the island. Pulau Nipa is part of Indonesia’s archipelagic baseline. This baseline is the basis for the Singapore-Indonesia international boundary. Indonesia worried that a submerged Pulau Nipa might affect the boundary.
The dredged sand was also used for land reclamation in Singapore. It was used for Tuas and Jurong Island. This added to Indonesia’s concerns.
Indonesia then started extensive land reclamation around Pulau Nipa. This was to ensure it remained above sea level. Pulau Nipa continues to be part of the archipelagic baseline. It was used to extend the Singapore-Indonesia maritime boundary in 2009.
Today, Pulau Nipa has a more permanent existence. Hopefully, trees will flourish here again.
Pulau Nipa also has a possible future role. There were plans to develop Pulau Nipa for various purposes. These included a traffic monitoring base. Vessels could anchor there. This would be before entering Singapore, Malaysia, or Indonesia. Plans included a pier, plaza, and integrated security post. There was also the idea of a marine observation center and a fisherman’s shelter.
This small island has a big story. Pulau Nipa demonstrates the complex relationship between Singapore and Indonesia. It involves maritime boundaries and environmental concerns. Pulau Nipa stands as a testament to the importance of preserving even the smallest piece of land.