KUALA LUMPUR: The government will continue to defend the country’s sovereignty in the gas fields at Kasawari and Beting Patinggi Ali in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, says the Defence Minister.
Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the government was aware of the presence of foreign ships which had placed their assets in the two areas for 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, adding that Malaysia “has never been quiet about the matter.”
“We have sent many diplomatic notes regarding the matter and also put our assets there to mark that this is our territory.
“This is a sensitive matter that needs to be managed as best as possible because we don’t want untoward incidents,” he told the Dewan Negara yesterday.
He was replying to Senator Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai who wanted to know the number of invasions or presence of foreign ships in the Kasawari Gas Field which is in the EEZ.
He said in the EEZ area, there were national oil and gas wells that need to be defended, considering that it contributed to 25% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the government believed that Langkawi should be retained as the venue for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) due to its strategic location and suitability for hosting the biennial event.
He said Langkawi, which has been the venue since 1991, has an airport and open spaces to accommodate various types of aircraft and ships, along with strategically located sea areas and adequate infrastructure.
“At the recent Lima ’23, over 100 aircraft were there for the aerobatic show and static displays, including military, commercial and private jets. So, we need a suitable area to accommodate these aircraft and ships,” he said, reported Bernama.
