Classified note leak: Stand unchanged on South China Sea - Wisma Putra

Malaysia’s stance on the South China Sea remains unchanged, said the Foreign Ministry.

“Malaysia will continue to defend its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and interests in its maritime areas based on the 1979 Malaysia Map.

“This approach aligns with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982,” it said in a statement this evening.

The Foreign Ministry was responding to the leak of a classified diplomatic note from China’s Foreign Ministry to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing.

The note, dated Feb 18, demanded that Malaysia immediately halt all activities in an oil-rich area off Sarawak waters.

The note was published in a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer last week, which said it was obtained from a Malaysian journalist who requested anonymity.

The note protests Malaysia’s oil and gas explorations in Beting Raja Jarum and Beting Patinggi Ali (referred to as Beikang Ansha and Nankang Ansha in the note), which are reefs part of the Spratly Islands and are claimed by Malaysia as part of its exclusive economic zone.

China claimed Malaysia’s exploration activities constitute unilateral action that infringes on China’s rights to the area and is in violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the UNCLOS.

China claims to have rights to a large part of the South China Sea in the so-called “Nine-dash line”, including the Spratly Islands.

It should be noted that a tribunal constituted under UNCLOS had rejected China’s claims on the Spratly Islands, though the case pertains to a different part of the islands that are claimed by China and the Philippines.

READ MORE: KiniGuide on the South China Sea dispute

Apart from Malaysia, China, and the Philippines, other countries and territories making territorial claims over various parts of the Spratly Islands are Brunei, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Investigating the leak

Despite expressing “strong dissatisfaction” towards Malaysia’s oil and gas explorations, however, the note also invites Malaysia to dialogue and cooperation.

“China highly values China-Malaysia relations and is open to resolving maritime disputes amicably through dialogue, launching the China-Malaysia consultative mechanism for resolving maritime issues as soon as possible, promoting practical cooperation at sea including joint oil and gas developments, and preserving peace and stability in the South China Sea as well as the positive momentum in China-Malaysia relations,” the note said.

The Foreign Ministry said it is investigating the leak of the classified note.

“The ministry will also file a police report to enable an investigation by the relevant authorities to be undertaken promptly,” it said.

It also reaffirmed that Malaysia would resolve issues peacefully through consultation and dialogue, without resorting to disputes or violence.

“This is in line with the provisions of the DOC, which emphasises the resolution of disputes by peaceful means and the avoidance of threats or use of force.

“Malaysia remains committed to the negotiations between Asean member states and China to finalise a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in accordance with the provisions of UNCLOS 1982.

“As of August 2024, Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China are co-chairs for a three-year period of the Asean and China meetings concerning the implementation of the DOC and negotiations to finalise the COC,” it said.

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