KUALA LUMPUR – Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook has backed Putrajaya’s stance against claims over the South China Sea outlined in the “China Standard Map Edition 2023”, which also includes Malaysia’s maritime areas.
Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, said that Malaysia remains a firm supporter of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
“As far as (the Transport Ministry) is concerned, we subscribe to the freedom of navigation (in the South China Sea).
“We stand together with the foreign minister (Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir) and back the government’s official stance and position.”
Loke said this during a press conference at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre here today.
Adding that the government does not recognise China’s claims, Loke reiterated that Zambry had yesterday informed that Wisma Putra would be sending a protest note to China over the matter.
The Foreign Ministry had previously said in a statement that the map holds no binding authority over Malaysia.
It also said that while it recognises the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, Malaysia remains firm in rejecting any claims on the nation’s maritime areas, based on a 1979 map of Malaysia.
On Monday, the Chinese Natural Resources Ministry issued this year’s edition of the map, which also claimed parts of India.
The map also included the exclusive economic zone maritime areas of Malaysia in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. – September 1, 2023