KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs to enhance its national maritime security control following China's claims in the South China Sea as outlined in the 'China Standard Map Edition 2023.
Former Foreign Minister, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, stated that if necessary, Malaysia should also inform the United Nations (UN) of its actions.
He further mentioned that notifying the UN could prevent any potential aggressive actions by China towards the country.
"The UN can be informed in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982... this can prevent aggressive actions by China.
"Malaysia also needs to inform our actions to other ASEAN countries," he told reporters, here today.
Previously, the media reported that the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources issued the China Standard Map Edition 2023, which covers a significant portion of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak
The map incorporates disputed areas, particularly involving Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
It also involves the maritime areas of Malaysia's exclusive economic zones (EEZ) near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
As a result, Malaysia will send a formal protest note to China and will not recognize the claims made by the country in the South China Sea as outlined in the 'China Standard Map Edition 2023', which includes Malaysia's maritime areas.
After Malaysia, several other countries including India, the Philippines and Taiwan also do not recognize the China Standard Map Edition 2023 issued by Beijing
The Law of the Sea Convention defines the rights and responsibilities of states in their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for commerce, the environment and the management of natural resources in the sea
At the same time, Syed Hamid mentioned that Wisma Putra (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) is seen as taking appropriate actions in clarifying Malaysia's position on the matter.
"This is because protest notes are the primary method to reinforce the rights and sovereignty of the country," he said.