Muhyiddin: PM should explain maritime territorial agreement with Indonesia

 

Muhyiddin claimed Anwar had signed the agreement during his Indonesian president Joko Widodo’s two-day visit to Malaysia earlier this week, and he did so despite being advised against it by a maritime expert.- NSTP/AZRUL EDHAM

SEREMBAN: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to explain why he signed the maritime territorial agreement with Indonesia recently.

Muhyiddin claimed Anwar had signed the agreement during his Indonesian president Joko Widodo's two-day visit to Malaysia earlier this week, and he did so despite being advised against it by a maritime expert.

"The maritime expert told (him) not to sign (the agreement) but he went ahead with it. You cannot make a decision hastily in this matter since the country may risk its areas being taken by others.

"I am not accusing him (prime minister). All I want is for him to come clean by providing an explanation or issue a statement supported by evidence openly. There is no need to cover up.

"Although Indonesia is our neighbouring country, but we should not compromise when it comes to the sovereignty of the country," said Muhyiddin in his speech during a ceramah here last night.

Present were Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Parti Bersatu Pribumi Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, PN information chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Azmin Ali and other top PN leaders.

It was reported that Malaysia and Indonesia signed six instruments including treaties for the delimitation of territorial seas in the Sulawesi Sea and Straits of Melaka during the Indonesian president's visit to the country recently.

The signing of treaties for the delimitation of territorial seas in the Sulawesi Sea and Straits of Melaka were inked after two decades of negotiations over the territorial matters.

Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, added that although the matter involved a neighbouring country, Malaysia should defend its rights and sovereignty by all means.

"Previously, upon his return from China, he (the prime minister) expressed his willingness to discuss with the republic (on the South China Sea issue). This is not right.

"At the international level, although they are our friends, we must defend our rights and sovereignty," he said.

On another matter, Muhyiddin said he is confident that PN will be able to form the next state government in Negri Sembilan during the upcoming state elections if there is a full turn-out among Malay voters.

"The data shows that there is a tendency among the people of this state to make changes," he said. - NST