KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia has formally expressed its concerns regarding new maritime legislation enacted in the Philippines, claiming that these laws encroach upon its territorial boundaries, as announced by a government representative on Friday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamad Alamin stated that a protest note was submitted on Thursday in response to the Philippine laws. He mentioned that related documents have indicated that these laws restate Manila’s ongoing claim over Sabah, a resource-rich Malaysian region located in northern Borneo.

Recently, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacted the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, which reinforce the nation’s maritime territories and assert its rights to natural resources, particularly in the contested South China Sea. These legal frameworks further solidify Manila’s opposition to China’s extensive claims over the majority of the South China Sea and introduce severe penalties for violations, provoking anger from China as well.

The South China Sea is a region of contention where China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, and Taiwan assert competing territorial claims. The past year has seen an increase in altercations between the naval and coast guard forces of China and the Philippines, raising concerns that the United States—Manila’s long-standing treaty partner—could become embroiled in a significant conflict.

Mohamad Alamin emphasized during a parliamentary session that the newly established Philippine legislation extends its claims into areas recognized as Malaysian territory, according to maps from 1979. He affirmed that the protest note highlights Malaysia’s determination to uphold its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Sabah, situated merely a two-hour boat ride from the southern Philippines, along with the nearby state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, became part of Malaysia in 1963. Historically, the Philippines has asserted claims over Sabah, which was once under the control of the centuries-old Sultanate of Sulu.