PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on Malaysia’s willingness to negotiate regarding overlapping claims in the South China Sea should not be seen as irresponsible or a compromise of national sovereignty, an expert said.
Professor Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed, an expert in international relations, said Anwar’s statement reflects a desire to avoid making Malaysia an enemy of a major power like China, Sinar quoted the expert as saying.
The ongoing dispute over the waters of the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, has yet to be resolved.
Dr Ahmad Marthada believes that negotiations are the best approach to achieving a win-win situation for both Malaysia and China. Pursuing the issue through international courts may not result in a satisfactory resolution, as China has stated its claims over the islands and believes that it has a right to them.
Moreover, other countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore also have overlapping claims in the region.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement on the government’s openness to negotiations in the South China Sea could lean towards creating regional tensions.
However, PKR director of communications Lee Chean Chung is of the opinion that Malaysia’s willingness to negotiate reflects its commitment to maintaining ASEAN as a free and exclusionary zone.
According to Lee, Muhyiddin has stated in the past that all disputes in the South China Sea must be handled peacefully and constructively.
It is important to note that Malaysia’s stance on negotiations does not compromise its sovereignty or the security of the country.
Negotiations offer a path to resolving disputes and achieving a peaceful and stable solution that benefits all parties involved. — April 9, 2023
