KUALA LUMPUR: The government will not compromise on the sovereignty of the country in light of the ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.
He also said Malaysia’s stand on the disputes is that problems, differences and rows should be handled and resolved through dialogue and peaceful negotiations.
Najib pointed out that to that end, Asean and China signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) on Nov 4, 2002.
“At this moment, Asean and China are engaged in efforts to create the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
“However, I would like to state that the DOC and COC are not instruments to resolve the issue of overlapping claims in the South China Sea,” he said in an oral reply to a question by Datuk Hasan Arifin (BN-Rompin) in Parliament today.
Najib said Malaysia’s position is that all countries involved in the dispute should ensure peace and stability in the region, and avoid provocative acts that could create tension, worry and suspicion.