SHAH ALAM - The government through the Foreign Ministry has been urged to invite the Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia to gain an explanation on its claims for the South China Sea as stipulated in the 2023 Edition China Standard Map that covered Malaysian maritime areas.
Parti Gerakan Malaysia (Gerakan) deputy president Datuk Alexander Lo Su Hyen said the actions taken to send a Diplomatic Objection Note to China was insufficient.
He said the measures taken would not stop the provocation from continuing in the nation’s waters especially in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) in Sabah and Sarawak.
"This was not the first time China had made such provocations to Malaysian maritime areas.
"In 2021, the nation had invaded and sent 16 military aircrafts in Malaysian air space near Sarawak,” he said in a statement on Friday.
China’s Natural Resources Ministry on Monday released the 2023 Edition China Standard Map covering Malaysia EEZ near Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam as well as some areas in India.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the government would take action and send a Diplomatic Objection Note to the nation to overcome the issue.
Alexander added strict actions must be taken by the government immediately to stop provocations from China
"Gerakan looks seriously towards any issues regarding the nation’s sovereignty,” he said.