Malaysia calls for self-restraint in territorial disputes

Malaysia views with serious concern on-going developments in the South China Sea as Kuala Lumpur emphasises the need to expeditiously work towards an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the countries involved should refrain from using force to address disputes among them.

"We should focus on exercising self-restraint, not to resort to threats or use of force, and to resolve disputes by peaceful means," he said in his remarks at the 8th Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on Tuesday.

The text of his speech was made available to Bernama.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involves several Asean countries, including Malaysia, as well as China. The latest conflict surrounds the positioning of an oil rig in waters claimed by both Vietnam and China.

"As a party to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Malaysia views that parties to the DOC should continue to work towards confidence building, enhancing cooperation and avoiding untoward incidents that could escalate tensions and conflicts," Hishammuddin said.

He further said that Malaysia welcomed regional and international cooperation on maritime security in aspects like capacity-building and sharing of intelligence and information towards combating crimes at sea.

The minister said Malaysia believed that a strong Asean was a stabilising influence in the region, as many nations around the world had come to realise the importance of Asean and had moved to engage the 10-nation grouping.

Asean comprises Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam.

Hishammuddin also took the opportunity to once again thank Asean member states which had assisted Malaysia in efforts to locate Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 missing since Marach 8.

"Many lessons can be learned from this tragic incident, one of which is the inclusive and strong civil and military cooperation which has proven to be crucial in disaster management," he added.

The plane with 239 people aboard including vanished while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. A search operation for the aircraft is underway in waters off western Australia, in southern Indian Ocean.