VLADIVOSTOK, Russia: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continuing oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, despite objections from China.
Speaking from Vladivostok, Russia, where he is on an official visit, Anwar emphasized that Malaysia’s exploration activities are conducted within its own territorial waters and are not meant to provoke or challenge China, with which Malaysia maintains friendly relations.
Anwar clarified that Malaysia’s operations are aimed at securing economic benefits and are fully compliant with international law.
The Prime Minister’s statements come in response to a recent leak of a classified Chinese diplomatic note, which claimed that Malaysia’s exploration activities infringe upon Chinese territory. The note, which surfaced through a Philippine news outlet, reflects China’s expansive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea—a contentious issue involving multiple countries with overlapping maritime interests.
Under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) grants a country sovereign rights to exploit natural resources, though it does not confer full sovereignty over the waters.
Malaysia’s state energy company, Petronas, has been actively exploring and extracting resources in its EEZ, encountering Chinese vessels on several occasions.
Anwar stated that Malaysia would not cease its operations despite China’s protests and reiterated that Malaysia’s stance is based on respecting international maritime boundaries and laws.
He acknowledged China’s protest notes but maintained that Malaysia’s activities are lawful and within its rights. The Prime Minister also indicated a willingness to engage in discussions with China to resolve the dispute amicably, while firmly asserting Malaysia’s position on its territorial claims.
The ongoing dispute highlights the broader geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, where conflicting territorial claims complicate regional energy exploration and maritime security. The 2016 ruling by an international arbitration tribunal in The Hague, which invalidated China’s extensive claims under the “nine-dash line,” remains unrecognized by Beijing, further complicating diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
