Malaysia to probe leak of Chinese diplomatic note over South China Sea row

COMPOSITE IMAGE: Malaysia’s search for oil, gas within its EEZ confronted by China’s sea strategy. Inquirer file and stock photos

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry called Wednesday for a police investigation into a leaked diplomatic note from China over the South China Sea dispute.

The ministry said details of a Feb. 18 diplomatic note from China’s Foreign Ministry to the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing was published by a Filipino media outlet on Aug. 29. It didn’t give details but alluded to the South China Sea row in its statement.

INQUIRER.net had published a diplomatic note in which Beijing reportedly demanded that Malaysia immediately halt all activities in an oil-rich maritime area off Sarawak state on Borneo island.

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The report said China had accused Malaysia of encroaching on areas covered by its 10-dash line, Beijing’s controversial map showing its claims to sovereignty in the South China Sea. The diplomatic note also expressed Beijing’s displeasure over Malaysia’s oil and gas exploration activities near the Luconia Shoals, which is near to Sarawak, it said.

“The ministry views the leak of this document, which constitutes an official communication channel between the two countries, with grave concern,” Malaysia’s foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. Apart from calling for a police investigation, the ministry also said it will conduct an internal investigation into the breach of classified information.

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Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan all dispute Beijing’s claims to almost the entire South China Sea. Unlike the Philippines which has had public clashes with China in the disputed area, Malaysia’s government prefers diplomatic channels. It rarely criticizes Beijing publicly, even though Chinese coast guard ships have sailed near Malaysia’s waters. This is partly to protect economic ties as China has been Malaysia’s top trading partner since 2009.

The ministry said Malaysia and China were committed to peaceful settlements, without any recourse to disputes and violence. The two countries became co-chairs last month for a three-year period of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.