Kuala lumpur: Malaysia will continue to rely on negotiations and adherence to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the foundation for resolving maritime boundary disputes with neighbouring countries, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He emphasized the importance of these elements in maintaining regional stability and peaceful resolutions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Anwar highlighted Malaysia's support for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in maritime affairs, acknowledging that the organization is also bound by UNCLOS 1982 provisions, which offer a clear legal framework. However, he pointed out that interpretations of UNCLOS vary among countries, and the convention alone cannot resolve all maritime disputes.
Addressing the South China Sea issue, Anwar noted that ASEAN member states had agreed to use UNCLOS as the negotiation basis while collaborating with China to finalize the Code of Conduct (COC) to avoid tensions and conflict. He noted that while progress with most ASEAN countries is ongoing, negotiations involving the Philippines are more complex due to the unresolved Sabah issue.
The Prime Minister responded to Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam) on whether Malaysia plans to seek expert views from the IMO regarding the security of the Straits of Malacca shipping route and maritime boundary management. Anwar shared Malaysia's experience with Joint Development Authorities involving Thailand and Vietnam, demonstrating that economic cooperation could continue without compromising sovereignty claims.
Anwar remarked on the challenges of resolving disputes, each side presenting solid legal arguments, historical evidence, and boundary claims. However, cooperation is feasible, as shown by Malaysia's collaboration with Vietnam in establishing a Joint Development Authority to jointly develop disputed areas while respecting sovereignty claims.
He stated that Malaysia, as a maritime nation, faces maritime boundary issues involving Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and China. The government consistently favors diplomacy and negotiations to prevent disputes from escalating into broader tensions.
Anwar added that boundary negotiations with Brunei have made significant progress, with only a few areas involving the Sarawak government still unresolved. Talks with Indonesia focus on areas involving Sabah, conducted in consultation with the state's leadership.