M’sia ready to negotiate South China Sea dispute with China: Anwar

PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia is prepared to negotiate with China over the South China Sea dispute, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the issue was raised at the four-eyed meeting he had with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his official visit to China, as national oil and gas company Petronas has the largest platform for oil exploration operating in the area

“China is also staking its claim over the area. I said that as a small country that needs oil and gas resources, we have to continue, but if there must be negotiations, then we are ready to negotiate,” he said when speaking at the prime minister’s monthly assembly with staff of the Prime Minister’s Department here today.

Anwar said he also touched on the issue of Myanmar and the Rohingya refugees, despite knowing China’s policy of non-interference.

“China is close to Myanmar, but its policy is not to interfere. I said we do not intend to interfere in their affairs, but there are almost 200,000 Rohingya refugees here. So, whether we like it or not, what is happening in Myanmar in denying the rights of Myanmar’s own people, including the Rohingya, affects us,” he said. – Bernama, April 4, 2023