Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein courted flak from his predecessor for claiming that Chinese vessels have not encroached into Malaysia’s maritime areas in the South China Sea since Perikatan Nasional came into power.
According to Anifah Aman, it was only in April that a flotilla of Chinese enforcement vessels was sighted accompanying a Chinese survey vessel within Malaysia maritime areas.
"I am appalled by the minister’s statement. He is either in denial or ignorant of the fact.
"Worst, he is playing politics with Malaysia’s maritime and strategic interests.
"Further, I was reliably informed that Chinese coast guard vessels were sighted in the vicinity of Beting Patinggi Ali in May, June and July," he added in a statement today.
Anifah stressed that Malaysia, as a country that legitimately owns maritime areas in the South China Sea, should not hesitate to categorically state its objection to any unauthorised activities by foreign vessels within its maritime zones.
He further pointed out that Wisma Putra had on June 25 and July 12 issued statements against drone and missile attacks towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"Surely it would not be too much to expect the Ministry to at least summon the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to register Malaysia’s displeasure on the unauthorised activities by the Chinese coast guard vessels within Malaysia’s maritime areas in the South China Sea," he said.
"Malaysia has never recognised China’s claims over its maritime areas in the South China Sea, and the government must uphold the position to ensure Malaysia’s maritime and strategic interests are not jeopardised.
"Failing to do so is a great disservice to the nation," he stressed.
The former Kimanis MP added that being firm in safeguarding, protecting and promoting Malaysia’s maritime and strategic interests does not mean the government needs to be confrontational.
"What we need to do is to ensure full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, and uphold the supremacy of the rule of law in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
"As I have stated many times, we must not be indecisive in defending our rights and interests, and a consistent principled position will stand us in good stead for the long term," he said.
Hishammuddin (above) yesterday said bilateral ties between both countries have been strengthened in the 100 days since he was appointed, resulting with the end of encroachment by Chinese vessels into Malaysian waters.
He was responding to the Auditor-General’s Report 2018 Series 3 which, among others, revealed that Chinese coast guard vessels were detected to have encroached into Malaysian waters 89 times from 2016 to 2019. - Mkini
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