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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia stands firm in its position that issues related to the South China Sea should be resolved peacefully and constructively, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said it must be resolved in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 982.
“Malaysia believes that all parties must work together to ensure that the South China Sea remains a sea of peace, stability and trade.
“As a coastal state, it is a matter of great importance that our maritime zone is safe for international trade to prosper,” he said during the plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit that began yesterday.
With the theme “Asean Coherent and Responsive”, this year’s summit, hosted by Vietnam, is being held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister also reiterated Malaysia’s view that while international law guarantees freedom of navigation, the presence of warships and watercraft in the South China Sea has the potential to increase tensions.
This, he noted, could result in miscalculations that could affect peace, security and stability in the region.
On another note, Muhyiddin said that Asean would remain a strategic player as a bloc in the ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
He added that member states must continue to communicate and work as a united bloc.
“The reality is that as small nations, we must unite with those who share similar values who can defend and promote the centrality of ASEAN, the interests of the region and with external parties.
“Malaysia hopes that with the many deliberations that Asean has worked on, our collective efforts can pave the way towards realizing our goal of being the only Asean community that we all wanted,” he said.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the endorsement of Australia’s proposal for an annual ASEAN-Australia Leaders’ Summit starting in 2021.
On the other hand, Muhyiddin said that the root cause of the crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State must be addressed as there have been side effects.
This includes internally displaced persons (IDPs), the irregular movement of people from the state, and their influx to neighboring countries seeking refuge, with Malaysia being the main recipient.
Muhyiddin said that the crisis required a deep and frank speech among ASEAN member states.
“We have consistently advocated for a lasting solution to the dire situation of the Rohingya, who are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation,” he said.
“Malaysia reaffirms the need to share the burden and responsibility in a proportionate way, and calls on the signatory countries of the 1951 Convention to maintain and commit to their international legal obligations to receive more refugees for resettlement or relocation,” he added.
Muhyiddin said Malaysia supported a voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation process for displaced people from Rakhine State.
Muhyiddin further said that the problem of irregular movement of people, including its connection to smuggling and human trafficking in the region, required all relevant parties to identify and address root causes and other contributing factors, whether at the source. , during transit or destination, as well as the participation of relevant stakeholders.
“(This should be done) on the basis of the principle of shared responsibility, as well as a balanced approach between law enforcement and humanitarian response to address challenges,” he said. – Bernama
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