Kuala lumpur: The Government of Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to defending national sovereignty based on the 1979 Map, rejecting any external maritime claims that contradict it, including those by China, the Dewan Negara was told today. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that Malaysia has no overlapping maritime areas with China under the internationally recognised 1979 Map and emphasized that Putrajaya would not compromise on any sovereignty claims by other countries that fall outside the boundaries set out in the map.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Hasan clarified during Question Time that Malaysia stands firmly by the 1979 Map, stating, "Any claims made after that are neither acknowledged nor recognised. In fact, we have never held any negotiations with China on such claims." In response to Senator Datuk Dr Mustafa Musa's inquiry on the technical and diplomatic issues involved in determining disputed borders with neighboring countries, Mohamad emphasized that all measures taken were grounded in international law to safeguard territorial integrity and border security.
Mohamad also mentioned that the term 'boundary delimitation negotiations' was more accurate than 'dispute', as Malaysia does not have hostile disagreements with its neighbors. Regarding Sabah, he reiterated that Malaysia has never recognized the Philippines' claim, stressing that the state became part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963 through a process of self-determination endorsed by the United Nations.
On the Malaysia-Indonesia border issues, Mohamad indicated that negotiations are progressing based on historical conventions, with notable agreements, such as the two memoranda of understanding signed in February 2025, which resolved 58.3 kilometers of land boundary along the western part of Sebatik Island. With Singapore, efforts are underway to gradually resume sovereign management of airspace in the southern portion of the Kuala Lumpur Flight Information Region.
Regarding Thailand, 11 memoranda of understanding have been signed, resulting in the demarcation of 543 kilometers, or about 82 percent, of the total land boundary. Replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Bobbey Suan on legal challenges by heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, Mohamad described the move as 'forum shopping', noting that the claims have shifted across various European courts after failing in earlier bids.
The claims by the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, according to Mohamad, are separate from those of the Philippine government, and Malaysia does not recognize either. Malaysia's recent success in overturning several European court decisions has been seen as a significant blow to the claimants and a boost to the country's position in defending its territorial rights.