Malaysia protests new Philippines maritime laws

MANILA, Philippines — Malaysia has protested new maritime laws in the Philippines that it says encroach on its territory, a government official said Friday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin said Malaysia sent a protest note on Thursday over the Philippine laws.

Experts have found that reference documents related to the laws restated Manila’s long-standing claim over the oil-rich Malaysian state of Sabah in northern Borneo, he said.

Last week, President Marcos signed the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which reaffirmed the country’s maritime territories and right to resources, including in the South China Sea.

They further cement Manila’s rejection of Chinese claims to virtually the entire South China Sea and stipulate jail terms and stiff fines for violators. The laws have also angered China.

The Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and Taiwan all claim parts of the South China Sea.

Confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the sea have surged since last year, sparking fears that the United States – Manila’s longtime treaty ally – might get drawn into a major conflict.

Mohamad Alamin was quoted by local media saying in Parliament on Thursday that the new Philippine laws extend its claims into Malaysian boundaries mapped out in 1979 that were internationally recognized. He said the protest note demonstrated Malaysia’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.

Sabah, which is two hours away by boat from southern Philippines, and neighboring Sarawak on Borneo became part of Malaysia in 1963.

The Philippines has long laid claims to Sabah, which was once part of the centuries-old sultanate of Sulu.

Despite a possible diplomatic row, the Philippines and Malaysia concluded their 11th Combined Defense Cooperation Committee (CCDC) meeting, with commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations as nations with shared interests.

Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino and his team welcomed Malaysia Ministry of Defense Deputy Secretary General Mohd Yani bin Daud and his delegation to Camp Aguinaldo on Friday, where the two sides had discussions centering on enhancing defense cooperation, addressing regional issues and strengthening the defense capabilities of both nations.

DND spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said the Malaysian delegation reiterated the productive outcomes of the CCDC meeting, where developments in the South China Sea situation were discussed.

Other key topics in the CCDC meeting were Philippines-Malaysia diplomatic relations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and advancing defense cooperation.

Notably, discussions highlighted the finalization of the terms of reference for the proposed Defense Science and Industry Working Group, which aims to formalize collaboration in defense technology and industry.