South China Sea: ex-PM Muhyiddin hits out at Malaysia’s Anwar over energy exploration negotiations with Beijing

Muhyiddin condemned Prime Minister Anwar’s announcement that his government was open to talks on Beijing’s concerns over Petronas’ exploration in the disputed waterway

The former leader said Anwar’s statement indicates indirect recognition of China’s claim and was tantamount to ‘surrendering Malaysia’s sovereignty to a foreign power’

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing. Photo: AP

Published: 2:30pm, 7 Apr 2023Updated: 2:52pm, 7 Apr 2023

Former Malaysian prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has slammed incumbent leader Anwar Ibrahim’s readiness to negotiate with China on state-owned energy giant Petronas’ exploration in South China Sea, saying it undermines the country’s territorial sovereignty.

“Petronas exploration activities are legally in Malaysian waters which should be defended and there is no question of negotiation and the prime minister’s statement indicates indirect recognition of China’s claim,” said Muhyiddin.

Anwar in a speech in parliament, while briefing on his China trip, had said while Petronas would continue its activities, Malaysia was open to negotiation on Beijing’s concerns.

He said Malaysia saw it as its territory and Petronas would continue its activities, but was open to negotiations with China’s claims.

The Perikatan Nasional chairman said it was a careless statement from a prime minister and while China was a global power, there should be no compromise on Malaysia’s sovereignty.