KUALA LUMPUR: Any claims by foreign countries, including the Philippines, over any part of Malaysia that is independent and sovereign have no legal basis under international law.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that Malaysia had taken follow-up actions, including officially objecting to the Philippines over its new maritime laws that infringe upon Sabah's maritime boundaries.
He said that through the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, the Philippines had addressed issues that affect Malaysia's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and interests.
However, he said that Malaysia would not compromise on matters related to these issues.
Mohamad reiterated that Malaysia's position on sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction, and interests in its maritime areas remained firm and would always be defended in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
"In handling this issue, I want to stress that the sovereignty and interests of the country are always the primary focus in every action taken by the government," he said.
"Malaysia opposes any elements of encroachment in both the Philippine Maritime Zone Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act on Malaysia's maritime zones and features, based on the New Malaysia Map 1979.
"The Foreign Ministry wishes to emphasise that any claims by foreign countries, including the Republic of the Philippines, over any part of Malaysia that is independent and sovereign, including Sabah, have no legal basis under international law," he said in a written reply published in the Parliament's website.
Mohamad was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Star-Keningau), who asked for details on the actions taken by the government to challenge and reject the recent Philippine move in passing two maritime laws that claim areas in Sabah as Philippine territory.
Mohamad further clarified that all government actions were based on comprehensive and careful consideration in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
On Nov 14, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said that Malaysia would send a formal note of protest to the Philippines regarding its new maritime acts that infringe upon Sabah's maritime boundaries.