KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sept 4 that it would file a police report and initiate an internal investigation following the leak of a classified diplomatic note from China. The note, which was sent by China’s foreign ministry to the Malaysian embassy in Beijing in February, was published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Aug 29.
The contents of the note reportedly relate to China’s assertion that Malaysia’s oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea infringed on China’s sovereignty. However, Reuters has not independently verified the authenticity of the document.
The South China Sea is a region fraught with disputes, as China claims almost the entire area based on historical maps. This claim overlaps with the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of several other countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan, complicating their energy exploration efforts.
In response to the leak, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry expressed “grave concern” about the breach of what it described as official communication between the two nations. Malaysia has historically maintained close ties with China, even amidst regional disputes.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sought a measured approach to Beijing’s growing influence in the region. In 2023, Mr. Anwar acknowledged concerns raised by China over energy exploration activities conducted by Malaysia’s state-owned company Petronas in the South China Sea. Despite these concerns, Malaysia has maintained that it will continue to defend its sovereignty and conduct its energy operations within its EEZ.
Malaysia’s statement on Sept 4 reiterated its commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, particularly those involving the South China Sea. Both China and Malaysia have agreed to address their differences through diplomatic channels and consultations.
An international tribunal in The Hague ruled in 2016 that China’s expansive claims to around 90 per cent of the South China Sea had no basis under international law—a ruling China does not accept.