As Beijing raised concerns over Malaysian energy projects in the South China Sea, Malaysia said on Saturday it was committed to preserving its sovereign rights and interests.
On Tuesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Beijing was concerned by Petrona’s development in the South China Sea, which Malaysia claims.
The opposition accused Anwar of jeopardizing Malaysia’s sovereignty by negotiating with China.
Anwar’s speech suggested Malaysia wants all South China Sea concerns addressed peacefully and without sacrificing its stance, the foreign ministry said Saturday.
“The government of Malaysia is absolutely and firmly committed to preserving Malaysia’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and interests in its maritime territories in the South China Sea,” the ministry stated.
China claims the entire South China Sea, where $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passes yearly. Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam share claims.
In recent years, Chinese warships have encountered Petronas’ oil and gas fields in Malaysia’s EEZ.
China’s “nine-dash line” cuts into Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia’s EEZs 1,500 km south of its mainland.
Nevertheless, in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration declared the nine-dash line illegal.
Last Thursday, Anwar stated Petronas would continue South China Sea operations.
