Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr engaged in conversation during the 27th ASEAN-China Summit held at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Laos, last month. The event was captured in a Reuters File Photo.
Malaysia is set to deliver a formal protest to the Philippines regarding its newly enacted maritime laws, due to overlapping claims in the South China Sea, according to the country's deputy foreign minister. This move comes on the heels of a similar complaint from China concerning the Philippines' Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act. Manila asserts that these laws are designed to reinforce its maritime claims and enhance its territorial integrity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin stated that the Malaysian government has thoroughly examined the reference documents pertaining to the Philippines' laws and identified that they impinge on claims to the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island. 'We will dispatch a protest note today to underscore our dedication to safeguarding Sabah's sovereign rights and the sovereignty of our nation,' Mohamad informed parliament.
The Philippines' foreign ministry has yet to respond to requests for comment. Historically, the Philippines has maintained a dormant claim to the eastern part of Sabah, a legacy from colonial times, although official discourse on the matter is infrequent. In 2011, the Philippines' Supreme Court ruled that the claim has never been formally relinquished.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
