No compromise over Sabah: Prime Minister
Published on: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Anwar said the diplomatic relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines is still good, and he himself still maintains a very good and close relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the Unity Government will not compromise on defending the country’s sovereignty and will never tolerate any demands, including over Sabah.
“(About) the Philippines’ claim over Sabah, the Malaysian government has made a firm statement that we will not compromise even an inch of our land and that we will never get involved in any negotiations involving the rights and sovereignty of our country,” he said.
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Nevertheless, Anwar said the diplomatic relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines is still good, and he himself still maintains a very good and close relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Therefore, this channel (relationship) should be used to maintain security.
“Our security forces should understand that history has proven that (intrusion and) attacks like the one that occurred in Sabah a few years ago happened in unexpected circumstances,” he said when launching the National Security Month celebration here, Tuesday.
Prior to this, a video went viral on social media containing baseless, misleading content and disputing the sovereignty of the state of Sabah.
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The Foreign Ministry in a statement reiterated the government’s long-standing position that Sabah has always been an integral part of Malaysia.
According to the statement, Sabah has been recognized by the United Nations (UN) and the international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
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“The ministry is undertaking a thorough investigation in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies on the matter,” the statement read.
“Malaysia has never and will not recognise any claims on Sabah.
“Sabah has been recognised by the United Nations (UN) and the international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963,” the statement read.
It added that the people of Sabah exercised their right to self-determination through the 1962 Cobbold Commission during the formation of Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Anwar advised fishermen and anglers in the South China Sea not to worry about the reported presence of a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel, particularly around Beting Patinggi Ali.
Media reports said fishermen felt intimidated by the presence of the CCG ship, which made it difficult for them to carry out their activities.
Beting Patinggi Ali is located 84 nautical miles (155 km) from the coast of Miri, Sarawak, and within Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Defence Ministry had previously emphasised that the Royal Malaysian Navy continuously monitors six of Malaysia’s maritime areas, including the Straits of Malacca, South China Sea, Sulawesi Sea and Sulu Sea, to detect suspicious vessels and foreign warships.
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