Malaysia to be firmer in row over South China Sea

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said on Wednesday that Malaysia’s new Government will adopt a firmer stand in tackling a decades-old territorial row in the South China Sea amid China’s aggressive expansion in the disputed area.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who won a stunning electoral victory in May, has said warships should be removed from the South China Sea. Saifuddin said that Mahathir was “sending a signal that we want to be more firm, more serious” in handling the maritime dispute.

The 2002 declaration of conduct by claimants in the South China Sea that set loose guidelines for behavior in the disputed waters has “no fangs,” and China’s continued militarization of the area has raised concern and could potentially escalate regional tensions, he told Parliament.

China has sent big coast guard vessels that resemble warships to the potentially energy rich territory and has caused uneasiness among its neighbors, he said.