Maritime intrusions: Malaysia not powerless, say experts

The intrusion of the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels in the Malaysian waters over 89 times since 2016 does not translate into Malaysia being powerless in defending its water territory, said experts.

Universiti Malaya Department of International and Strategic Studies head Roy Anthony Rogers said Malaysia has acted by conveying its displeasure over the encroachments of Beting Patinggi Ali (photo, above), also known as the Luconia Shoals, through diplomatic means.

"Malaysia as a country that adopts neutrality and has been doing what it can to prevent the encroachments within its own capabilities.

"The only means currently are diplomatic dialogue and the non-use of force, within the framework of international law," Rogers told Malaysiakini.

China, he said, needs to be aware that Malaysia is their "special friend" and it should not jeopardise the friendship by their encroachments.

He said the relationship between Malaysia and China has been cordial since the 1970s.

"In fact, Malaysia was among the first countries in Southeast Asia to recognise China and bilateral relationships have been expanding into business, trade and socio-economy fields.

"Malaysia has been a strong trading partner with China," he added.

The National Audit Department (NAD) had said that the CCG vessels and the People's Liberation Army Navy ships had encroached Malaysian waters 89 times between 2016 and 2019.

Malaysia had issued six diplomatic protest notes to China in response.

Checks showed that CCG vessels had maintained their presence near Luconia Shoals, located 100km off the Sarawak coast, since December last year until July 7 this year.

National Defence Institute (Puspahanas) lecturer Salawati Mat Basir, meanwhile, refuted claims that Malaysia was weak and powerless in dealing with the maritime territorial dispute.

"Malaysia has its own security strategies which can't be revealed to the public.

"We held negotiations with China but they were not publicised."

Salawati, who teaches cooperative foreign and defence policy, said Malaysia's diplomatic strategies had, in fact, prevented China from acting aggressively.

The Nine-Dash Line

"Unlike Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan have been embroiled in tense confrontations with China in regard to their territorial waters disputes.

"Malaysia and China are able to be on good terms because the former has a clear and organised diplomatic policy," she added.

On CCG vessels maintaining their presence near Beting Patinggi Ali, Salawati said that China only wanted to make their presence felt in line with their claims in the contested area.

For the record, China has claimed its sovereignty over parts of the South China sea known as the "Nine-Dash Line."

"They maintained their presence in the area to retain their claims on the Nine-Dash Line.

"Their vessels are not only near Beting Patinggi Ali but also at other disputed territories involving other Asean countries," she said. - Mkini