Malaysia transnational issues:
Disputes - international:
Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands together with
China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; while the 2002 "Declaration
on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions
over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought
by some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among
the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting
marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over
deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge
construction, maritime boundaries, and Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih
- but parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years;
ICJ awarded Ligitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia and Philippines,
to Malaysia but left maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea
in dispute, culminating in hostile confrontations in March 2005 over concessions
to the Ambalat oil block; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly
Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with
Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a now dormant
claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; in 2003, Brunei and Malaysia
ceased gas and oil exploration in their disputed offshore and deepwater seabeds
and negotiations have stalemated prompting consideration of international
adjudication; Malaysia's land boundary with Brunei around Limbang is in dispute;
piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait.
