PETALING JAYA: The Territorial Sea Act, which outlines Malaysia’s sovereignty with respect to the territorial sea, is applicable throughout Malaysia, including in Terengganu, unless declared otherwise by the courts, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“The Act was enacted to have provisions on Malaysian territorial seas and to preserve the integrity of Malaysia’s territorial boundaries and sovereign rights, as well as to guarantee the safety and integrity of the region.”
Its enactment is to fulfil Malaysia’s obligations under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, said the PMO in a statement yesterday.
As such, the PMO said that the Act was valid and applicable despite the Terengganu state assembly’s move on Thursday to reject the Act for its infringement on the state’s rights to explore resources and generate revenue within its maritime borders.
“We want to emphasise the Federal Government’s position that the Territorial Sea Act was approved by Parliament and is binding under the Federal Constitution.”
The PMO said it is the Federal Government’s responsibility to ensure Malaysia’s sovereign rights, including those in connection to Malaysian waters, were always protected.
“In line with the values of the Madani government, we once again state that the Federal Government will always provide development allocations to all states, including Terengganu,” it said.
