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By Lian Cheng and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 1: The just released 2023 China Standard Map which includes a significant portion of Sarawakian waters is not applicable and effective, says Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Malaysia had clarified its position of refusing to accept the map which is not binding under the United Nations’ (UN) Law of the Sea.
“Malaysia has clarified its position. They can’t accept the map. Sarawak is in Malaysia; it does not affect Sarawak.
“There is an international law that you have to comply with, the International Law of the Sea. This is UN’s law, so you have to comply with UN law and China is a member of the UN.
“But the core issue is that area is also Malaysia’s area. Don’t tell me — we can also issue a new map right?
“Because that map is not binding internationally, so that is why we have to comply with international law,” said Abang Johari at the press conference after chairing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) Supreme Council meeting at the party’s headquarters at Jalan Bako.
According to the New Straits Times, the 2023 China Standard Map which was released yesterday in conjunction with China’s National Mapping Awareness Week and Survey and Mapping Publicity Day, also claims disputed areas including Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
It included the maritime areas within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. — DayakDaily
