Malaysia Protests Philippines' New Maritime Laws

Malaysia plans to send a protest note to the Philippines over two recent maritime laws, the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which Malaysia claims infringe on Sabah's maritime boundaries. Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin stated that these laws, enacted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., violate Malaysia's 1979 New Map, which is based on international law, and also reference the Philippines' claims over Sabah. This protest aligns with China's previous complaint regarding the same Philippine laws, which Manila asserts strengthen its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Philippines has yet to respond formally to Malaysia's intended protest. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims persist among several nations, including Malaysia, the Philippines, and China.