Kota Kinabalu, Sunday, 10 November 2024
Malaysia must use our maximum diplomatic and political muscle to counter two new Philippines maritime laws that infringe on Sabah’s Continental Shelf under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea).
Sabah’s maritime territorial rights have been established as far back as at least 1954 under the Order in Council of the United Kingdom. There was never any dispute over Sabah’s (then North Borneo) maritime territory at the time, and most definitely none from the Philippines.
The Philippines has just passed two new laws to claim the territorial sea. Called Philippines Maritime Zones Act (Republic Act 12064) and Philippines Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (RA12065), these two laws were signed into law by the Philippines President two days ago.
It is odd that the Philippines has only now, belatedly, perhaps as an afterthought and not as a historical fact, taken legislative actions to claim new maritime territories.
The Philippines Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act also purported to regulate sea lanes at Balabac Strait (bordering Sabah’s Kudat/Banggi) and Celebes/Sulu maritime area at Sabah’s East Coast.
Urgent clarity is needed to show that the Philippines authorities are not trying to creep into Sabah’s territorial sea lanes.
Datuk Yong Teck Lee
President of SAPP
Chairman of Territorial Security Committee, SAPP
Ex-Chief Minister (1996-1998)
Issued by SAPP HQ
Ref: https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/11/09/news/national/marcos-signs-2-key-sea-laws/2000748