Mahathir stakes claim to Spratlys

Mahathir stakes claim to Spratlys

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on
Sunday the reefs in the Spratly Islands on which Malaysia had
built structures were part of its territory, dismissing
Philippine claims.

Mahathir said the Peninjau and Siput reefs were within its
Exclusive Economic Zone and therefore Malaysia had not encroached
on another country's territory.

Earlier this week the Philippines defense department accused
the Malaysians of building structures on Investigator Shoal,
which the Philippines calls Pawikan Shoal.

Kuala Lumpur has rejected the allegations, insisting the
sandbar is part of its territory and civilians there were
researchers and scientists.