Issues related to South China Sea to be ironed out via diplomatic channels, says Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: Any issues relating to the South China Sea will be ironed out through diplomatic channels, says Fahmi Fadzil.

The Communications Minister said this when asked about the rising concerns following the sighting of a foreign military vessel encroaching on the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

He, however, said the matter was not discussed in detail during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (Sept 11).

“Any arising issues will be managed through diplomatic channels,” he said during the weekly post-Cabinet meeting press conference on Wednesday (Sept 11).

To a question if the government would raise the matter in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, Fahmi said no specific agenda was discussed in the Cabinet meeting as Foreign Minister (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) was not present.

On Tuesday (Sept 10), the Foreign Ministry issued a statement, taking note of recent reports on the presence of foreign naval vessels near an offshore oil rig in the country.

However, in a media advisory earlier, the ministry said it could not comment on the accuracy or specifics regarding the movements of military vessels as these matters fall under operational security and the defence authorities.

The ministry also said Malaysia’s position is in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

According to earlier media reports, three foreign naval vessels were detected within Malaysia’s EEZ on Sept 3.