by HARIZAH KAMEL / pic by BERNAMA

THE Foreign Affairs Ministry has called in the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to convey Malaysia’s position and protest against the presence and activities of Chinese vessels, including a survey vessel, in Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak.

In a recent statement by Wisma Putra, the presence and activities of these vessels are inconsistent with Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984, as well as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Malaysia’s consistent position and actions are based on international law, in defence of our sovereignty and sovereign rights in our waters.

“Malaysia had also protested against the previous encroachments by other foreign vessels into our waters,” it said.

Wisma Putra mentioned that in determining Malaysia’s position and course of action with regard to the South China Sea issue, which is complex and involves inter-state relations, Malaysia’s national interests will remain of paramount importance.

“Malaysia reiterates that all matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS,” it concluded.