KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry stands firm with the freedom of navigation principle in the South China Sea amid China's delineations within the 2023 China Standard Map.
Minister Anthony Loke said he took the same stance of the government and the Foreign Ministry in rejecting China's map, which extends over Malaysian maritime territories.
"We do not recognise the new map of China. We have sent a protest note and we will subscribe to that position," said Loke at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, here, today.
He was asked if the ministry was concerned if the new map would affect the tourism and transport industry.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Malaysia will issue a formal protest to China.
The note, he said, forms a crucial part of the government's strategy to escalate its response, emphasising that this course of action aligns with the government's customary protocol.
The ministry unequivocally stated that Malaysia does not consider China's map to possess any legally binding force.
The 2023 China Standard Map issued by the country's Ministry of Natural Resources includes a significant portion of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak, as well as various regions in India claimed by China.
Released on Aug 28 in conjunction with China's National Mapping Awareness Week and Survey and Mapping Publicity Day, the 2023 China Standard Map also incorporates disputed areas, including claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
It also includes maritime areas within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/08/949448/malaysia-lodge-formal-...
