KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Malay Chambers of Commerce (DPMM) has call on the government to take a strict and firm stance on the encroachment and provocation by foreign vessels from neighbouring countries into the country's waters in the South China Sea.
"DPMM sees the increase in encroachment and provocation by foreign vessels which are suspected of being China Coast Guard (CCG) ships especially in the country's waters around the Beting Patinggi Ali island off the coast of Sarawak as worrisome as it could lead to economic instability and negatively impact the Malaysian economy as it can threaten investors' confidence and international trade.
"The presence of such ships not only negatively impacts the operations of Petronas' oil rigs, platforms and assets but also threatens the livelihood of local fishermen who are very worried about their safety.
"The stance of the China government is as though it is not bothered and unperturbed about respecting international maritime boundaries and borders of Asean countries which includes the maritime border of Malaysia, where it is concerning that there could be a negative impact on the good, bilateral relations between both countries," DPMM said in a statement.
The small island of Beting Patinggi Ali (BPA), named after a prominant Sarawakian Malay leader, is also known as Luconia Shoal and Beting Raja Jarum.
China's claim towards BPA, which they call Beikang Ansha or Nankang Ansha is unreasonable even from a geographical aspect seeing that the location of the island is more than two thousand kilometres (km) away from mainland.
On the other hand, the island is just 155 kilometres (km) away from the shores of Miri, Sarawak.
"Referring to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982), coastal nations have the right to claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) areas up to 200 nautical miles, thus asserting the Beting Patinggi Ali in Sarawak as Malaysia's EEZ.
"Furthermore, through the enforcement of the Malaysia Exclusive Economic Zone Act 2006, Malaysia tightly regulates maritime activities in the Beting Patinggi Ali area to safeguard territorial sovereignty and preserve its maritime resources and historical heritage.
"Beting Patinggi Ali possesses abundant natural gas, oil, and marine life yet to be explored, except for the four existing Petronas oil and gas platforms located within 25 kilometers of the Beting Patinggi Ali boundary, namely F230-A (16.5 km), F6Q-S (22 km), MIQ (14.6 km), and BIIP-A (17.6 km)," said DPMM.
It added that the Defence Ministry), through the National Audit Department's report, confirms the intrusion of CCG and People's Liberation Army Navy vessels 89 times between 2016 and 2019, with most incidents occurring in the Beting Patinggi Ali area.
"The presence of CCG vessels in Malaysian waters is viewed as a provocative challenge to Malaysia's territorial defense. The significant increase in these intrusion activities is undoubtedly influenced by the issuance of the 'China Standard Map 2023' last year, vehemently opposed not only by Malaysia but also by ASEAN member states such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and, notably, objections from India, Japan, and Taiwan.
"Prior to this, China sought to claim nearly 80 per cent of the South China Sea, including the EEZs of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Taiwan, through the "Nine Dash Line.
" However, the latest map, with the addition of a "tenth dash," includes Taiwan and a significant portion of the Spratly Islands. This is a clear violation of UNCLOS 1982."
DPMM said China's assertiveness not only hurts Malaysia's sentiments but is reported to engage in similar actions in the waters of other ASEAN member countries.
"DPMM urges that this issue be brought to the ASEAN heads of state negotiation table soon to press China to respect the sovereignty of ASEAN countries and immediately cease their provocative activities."
Malaysia, as a maritime nation with over 80 per cent of its land in Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah & Sarawak being coastal areas, requires continuous monitoring and enforcement.
"The government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should take preemptive action by enhancing Malaysia's maritime enforcement capacity, particularly in terms of human resources and strategic asset acquisitions, to increase tactical capabilities in facing foreign threats and ensuring the nation's waters remain free from continuous intrusion."