Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein insisted Wisma Putra has been working on the South China Sea dispute and acting in Malaysia’s interest, despite not making any public statements on it.
The minister came to Putrajaya’s defence today as the government was criticised by former minister Anifah Aman over its seeming silence on the matter.
This comes in the wake of reports of an alleged stand-off between ships operated by China and Malaysia in the South China Sea, prompting the presence of two US warships.
Hishammuddin (above) said Malaysia’s position on the South China Sea remained ”clear and consistent” and that Wisma Putra was communicating with China and the US.
Nonetheless, he said all related matters must be resolved peacefully, with “diplomacy and mutual trust” in accordance with international laws including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) 1982.
“Malaysia remains firm in its commitment to safeguard its interests and rights in the South China Sea.
“Malaysia holds the view that the South China Sea should remain a sea of peace and trade. [...]We must avoid unintended, accidental incidents in these waters. While international law guarantees the freedom of navigation, the presence of warships and vessels in the South China Sea has the potential to increase tensions that in turn may result in miscalculations which may affect peace, security and stability in the region.
“Just because we have not made a public statement on this does not mean we have not been working on all the above mentioned, we have open and continuous communication with all relevant parties, including China and the US,” the statement read.
Malaysiakini reported earlier today that a Wisma Putra official had denied the presence of any confrontation or stand-off between Chinese and Malaysian ships.
The source said Malaysia was closely monitoring the presence and activities of all foreign vessels in its waters in the South China Sea.
In a separate statement, Anifah (photo), who served as foreign minister under BN, described Putrajaya’s silence about China’s actions as a “great disservice” to the nation.
“As I have stated many times, both during and after my time as the foreign minister of Malaysia, South China Sea is of strategic importance to Malaysia as it relates to the issues of sovereignty, sovereign rights, economic activities, as well as peace and security of the whole region.
“As more and more details are laid bare by national, regional and international news portals, I cannot help but notice the deafening silence on the part of the government of Malaysia on the matter.
“To say nothing about the activities undertaken by the Chinese survey vessel within Malaysia’s maritime areas is a great disservice to the nation,” he had said.
Malaysia, Anifah added, cannot be indecisive in defending its rights and any inaction could be construed as acquiescence by interested parties.
“Our inaction may compel other parties to take certain actions which would further complicate matters and jeopardise peace, security and stability in our maritime areas and the region as a whole.
"A consistent principled position on the South China Sea would stand us in good stead in the long term. This is what it was in the past, and what it should be now, as well as for the future.”
Previously, Reuters reported that a Chinese government research vessel Haiyang Dizhi 8 had been seen conducting surveys near the Petronas-operated drillship West Capella last week.
It said the incident occurred in an area near waters claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia and China.
US Navy vessels USS America and USS Bunker Hill were reportedly deployed in the area in response, to “promote freedom of navigation and overflight”.
China, too, has denied a stand-off took place.
-Mkini
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