IT is unfortunate that a Chinese government survey ship has tagged an exploration vessel operated by Petronas in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
It was close to the Petronas-operated West Capella, according to security sources.
One of the sources said a Vietnamese vessel was also tagging the West Capella.
The Malaysian government should voice its diplomatic protest to the Chinese and Vietnamese governments for such encroachment and intimidation.
China's sweeping claim to most of the South China Sea within its U-shaped "nine-dash line" is not acceptable and it is not recognised by its neighbours or most of the world.
It is vital for the Malaysian government to use this incident to reaffirm the findings of an international tribunal in The Hague on China's behaviour in the South China Sea, including its construction of an artificial island.
In the tribunal's judgment, the China's expansive claim to sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis. Most importantly, in its most significant finding, the tribunal rejected China's argument that it enjoys historical rights over most of the South China Sea.
It is sad that Asean has been timid in addressing these issues.
The Association for Community and Dialogue urges the Malaysian government to exert its rights based on international law and not be intimidated and blinded by Chinese aid in the battle with Covid-19.
If we continue to keep silent, then we will end up with another hegemonic power besides the United States using economic and military intimidation to dominate the seas that are rich with oil reserves.
RONALD BENJAMIN
Secretary, Association for Community and Dialogue
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times