Malaysia's security lies 'in' and 'with' region and not 'from' it, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Malaysia remains consistent in its stance, including the protection of its sovereignty, rights and interests in the exclusive economic zones in the South China Sea.

In his keynote address at the 36th Asia-Pacific Roundtable here on Thursday (Aug 10), Anwar said Malaysia would persevere in the face of “all legitimate challenges and claims”.

“In light of this, it bears stressing that Malaysia’s security lies ‘in’ and ‘with’ the region and not ‘from’ the region.

“We leverage on our geographical location as both a land and maritime country straddling the most important trade routes, and economic position as a key part of various global supply chains, to promote regional security,” Anwar said.

Among others, the Malaysia-China dispute stems from the latter’s claim covering parts of waters where PETRONAS runs its largest oil rigs.

However, Anwar said while major power rivalry between the United States and China was testing and straining, Malaysia must maintain amicable ties with the two.

“Malaysia must continue to ride on our good relations with both China and the US to promote a stronger rules-based order. “

Also present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Deputy Trade, Investment and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) chairman Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah.