SHAH ALAM - Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement on China as irresponsible, stating it confirms China's claim on South China Sea that is legally Malaysian territory.
Muhyiddin said it was similar to pawning the nation's sovereignty.
The Pagoh MP said the prime minister should not released such statements.
"Malaysia must remain vigilant in defending its sovereignty and security to protect the country's rights and demands.
"The prime minister's statement about Malaysia's openness to negotiate its territorial rights has invited the threat to national sovereignty.
"The prime minister's statement is very weak, irresponsible and it looks as if he is pledging the dignity and sovereignty of the country to foreign power," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
At the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar announced Petronas would continue its work in carrying out oil exploration in existing areas at the South China Sea but Putrajaya was still open to negotiations if China feels that the area is their territory.
Muhyiddin claimed the Petronas exploration area that Anwar referred to is in Malaysian territory and could not be negotiated even if China attempted to claim it.
The former prime minister's opinion was for Anwar to firmly defend the country's territorial sovereignty as enshrined in the 1979 Malaysia map.
"As of now the disputed area in South China Sea has not yet been decided and Asean has not reached a consensus on overlapping claims. It should be remembered that Asean rejected the recognition of the Nine Dash Line claimed by China including in Malaysia's waters.
"Regarding the overlapping claims any discussions must be made in accordance with the Asean consensus and the South China Sea Code of Conduct.
"Taking into account Asean's position as a coalition of 10 countries, Malaysia must deal with international maritime issues cautiously based on national sovereignty principles and the Asean idea," he stated.