By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 26: Malaysia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin has affirmed that Beting Patinggi Ali, a resource-rich shoal off Sarawak’s coast, will not be a topic of discussion on the Asean platform.
According to The Edge Malaysia news report, he reiterated that the area—located approximately 80 nautical miles from Tanjung Baram, Sarawak—is unquestionably within Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
“As Malaysia prepares to assume the Asean Chairmanship in 2025, the South China Sea dispute will be a key focus.
“However, Beting Patinggi Ali is not among the issues up for discussion,” he told Parliament during the oral question-and-answer session.
He was responding to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Perikatan Nasional–Arau), who sought clarification on Malaysia’s strategic approach as Asean Chair in addressing the South China Sea dispute.
There had been reports of Chinese Coast Guard vessels encroaching into Malaysian waters, particularly near Beting Patinggi Ali, raising concerns over rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a nation has exclusive rights to explore and exploit natural resources within its EEZ, which extends up to 200 nautical miles from its coastline.
China, however, claims nearly the entire South China Sea under its controversial Nine-Dash Line, a stance that has sparked disputes and clashes with regional nations, including the Philippines and Indonesia. Last year, Beijing accused Malaysia of encroaching into areas it considers part of its territorial waters.
On Monday (Feb 24), Mohamad reaffirmed that Malaysia has no diplomatic negotiations with China over Beting Patinggi Ali, as the country does not recognise Beijing’s maritime claims or any maps covering its territorial waters.
To safeguard national sovereignty and economic interests, he emphasised that the Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency conduct regular patrols, surveillance, and enforcement operations.
He also highlighted that hydrocarbon exploration in Beting Patinggi Ali remains active, with ongoing operations at the Kasawari and Timi gas fields off Sarawak’s coast, managed by national oil giant Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS).
“In addition, a new gas field in the area is currently being developed by Shell Malaysia,” he added. — DayakDaily
