Malaysia reaffirms UNCLOS and diplomacy as cornerstones of maritime boundary dispute resolution, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to rely on diplomacy, bilateral negotiations and international law—particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982—as the primary framework for resolving maritime boundary disputes with neighbouring countries, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar stressed that peaceful dialogue remains the government’s preferred approach in addressing overlapping maritime claims, as it helps safeguard regional stability while preserving strong bilateral ties with neighbouring nations.
He said adherence to internationally recognised legal principles, together with continuous engagement between affected countries, provides the most effective avenue for managing complex maritime issues without escalating tensions.
According to the Prime Minister, while UNCLOS 1982 serves as the principal legal reference governing maritime rights and responsibilities, its interpretation can vary among states, making negotiations an equally important component of dispute resolution.
He noted that the convention alone cannot resolve every maritime disagreement, particularly in areas involving competing historical claims, overlapping jurisdictions and differing national legal interpretations.
Anwar said ASEAN member states have collectively agreed to use UNCLOS as the fundamental legal basis for addressing issues in the South China Sea while simultaneously working with China to conclude the long-awaited Code of Conduct (COC), aimed at promoting stability and preventing conflict in the strategically important waterway.
He explained that negotiations on the COC are progressing through ongoing discussions between ASEAN and China, although certain issues remain more complex due to existing bilateral disputes involving individual member states.
“In the South China Sea, ASEAN has agreed that UNCLOS should remain the principal reference while negotiations continue to finalise the Code of Conduct with China. Our objective is to prevent tensions from escalating and ensure disputes are managed peacefully through dialogue,” he said.
Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam), Anwar also said the government is open to facilitating access to expert opinions, including those from international organisations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), to assist Members of Parliament in understanding issues relating to maritime safety, navigation through the Straits of Malacca and maritime boundary management.
The Prime Minister highlighted Malaysia’s experience in establishing joint development arrangements with neighbouring countries as evidence that economic cooperation can continue even when sovereignty claims remain unresolved.
He cited collaborative initiatives with Thailand and Vietnam as practical examples of how countries can jointly develop natural resources in disputed maritime areas without compromising their respective territorial claims.
According to Anwar, both countries agreed to pursue mutually beneficial economic activities under joint development mechanisms while maintaining their respective legal positions on sovereignty.
He said such arrangements allow all parties to benefit from resource development while avoiding prolonged disputes that could hinder regional cooperation.
“We recognise that some maritime disputes are difficult to resolve because each country has historical records, legal arguments and evidence supporting its position. However, instead of allowing those differences to obstruct cooperation, we have adopted joint development arrangements that enable both sides to benefit without prejudicing their respective claims,” he said.
Anwar added that Malaysia continues to prioritise diplomatic engagement in managing maritime boundary issues involving Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and China, believing that sustained dialogue remains the most constructive path towards long-term solutions.
He revealed that negotiations with Brunei have made substantial progress, with only a small number of outstanding areas still requiring discussion, including matters involving the Sarawak state government.
Meanwhile, discussions with Indonesia concerning maritime areas linked to Sabah continue through established bilateral channels, with the Sabah state leadership also involved in the consultation process where appropriate.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Malaysia remains committed to resolving maritime boundary issues through peaceful negotiations, international legal principles and regional cooperation, while ensuring the country’s sovereignty, national interests and diplomatic relationships continue to be protected.
