Malaysia Reaffirms Sovereignty, Rejects Excessive Maritime Claims

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia remains firm in defending its sovereignty and national rights, including in the South China Sea, and rejects any excessive claims based on China’s Nine-Dash Line map.

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said Malaysia does not recognise any claims that overlap with the country’s maritime areas as outlined in the 1979 New Map of Malaysia, and will continue to submit diplomatic protest notes in the event of intrusions by vessels or assets belonging to any country.

He said the government remains committed to safeguarding sovereignty and national interests in the event of any interference with activities in Malaysia’s maritime zones in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).

Malaysia also reaffirms its commitment to negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) as it is intended to prevent conflict and tension in the area, and not just a document to resolve maritime disputes.

“Maritime disputes should be resolved through existing mechanisms under international law, including UNCLOS 1982. Malaysia is committed to ensuring that a substantive and effective COC can be finalised within the expected timeframe,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Lukanisman said Malaysia does not subscribe to the notion that ‘might is right’ in the international system, but remains committed to multilateralism and international law.

He added that Malaysia maintains neutral, principled and mutually respectful diplomatic relations with all major powers, including the United States, without compromising the independence of its foreign policy.

On Palestine, he said Malaysia remains steadfast in supporting the Palestinian cause and views the issue not as a religious matter, but as one of humanitarian concern and human rights.

“In explaining our position, Malaysia has chosen not to give immediate support, as we are taking the approach of first assessing the plan to ensure the absolute rights of the Palestinian people, including the end of occupation and the establishment of an independent state.

“Malaysia will not compromise its principled stand merely to be at the negotiating table if it does not guarantee real justice for the Palestinian people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lukanisman said Malaysia also opposes any foreign interference in the internal affairs of other countries, including actions taken against Venezuela. Territorial sovereignty issues like Greenland should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, he added.

He said Malaysia will continue to strengthen its role in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations (UN), ASEAN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to ensure adherence to international law.

“Malaysia will continue to play its role as a principled and consistent nation in defending sovereignty, upholding international law and promoting global peace and stability,” he said.

-- BERNAMA