KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 – Putrajaya will stand firm on its territorial claims in the South China Sea and continue oil exploration activities despite China’s objections, reported the Star quoting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday.
He said while Malaysia maintains this stance, it remains open to dialogue and negotiations with other countries.
Anwar added that Malaysia’s approach aligns with Asean’s principle of centrality, advocating for resolution through discussions and dialogue.
“Malaysia will not back down from its claims. That is why the exploration by PETRONAS continues, even though it has been raised by China,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 15).
He also said territorial disputes in the area involved other countries and so China should not be made the sole focus of the issue.
“(These countries include) Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
“That’s why we don’t agree if this problem is focused on China,” he added in response to a supplementary question by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru).
However, Anwar gave an assurance that the country’s firm stance would not hinder diplomatic relations, trade and friendships with the nations concerned.
Takiyuddin had earlier asked the Prime Minister to explain the approaches and strategies for leveraging diplomatic channels through the Asean chair in disputes involving the South China Sea.
Anwar also reiterated Malaysia’s stance on its territorial waters, emphasising that the country will protest and oppose any unauthorised use of its waters as a defence route.
The South China Sea has been a contentious issue in the region after China laid claim to almost the entire region, despite overlapping maritime claims by Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei.
