DAP Lawmaker Accuses Muhyiddin of Playing “Dirty” over South China Sea Claim Remarks

As tensions continue to rise between China and Southeast Asian countries over territorial claims in the South China Sea, a Malaysian lawmaker from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) has made a shocking allegation. The lawmaker has claimed that Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin remained silent on China’s claims to parts of the sea during a virtual meeting of ASEAN leaders last year, despite calls from other ASEAN members for a united front against China’s aggressive actions. This accusation has sparked controversy and division among Malaysian politicians and added to the ongoing debate about the country’s relationship with China.


DAP lawmaker Howard Lee has accused Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of playing “dirty” by attempting to twist Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement about Beijing’s South China Sea claim as a compromise. Lee, who represents Ipoh Timur in parliament, claimed that Muhyiddin was fully aware that international relations can be very intricate, and that he himself had been relatively quiet about the territorial dispute with China. Muhyiddin had also signed a joint development agreement with the Chinese government to develop the South China Sea, according to Lee, but did not voice any opposition to the Asian superpower during negotiations leading up to the agreement.

When dealing with superpowers, the language of diplomacy is crucial to ensure that harmonious ties are maintained. Lee stated that as a former prime minister with vast political experience, Muhyiddin is wise, smart, and clever. However, he is now the head of the opposition horde Perikatan Nasional and only knows how to play dirty politics. For a shred of vote, he has gambled national security, embarrassed Malaysia, sabotaged bilateral relations with China, and circumvented Asean efforts to maintain peace in the region.

Muhyiddin claimed that Anwar was “careless” in his remarks about the possibility of Malaysia being open to negotiations if there are overlapping claims by China on areas explored by national oil giant Petronas. The former prime minister said that Malaysia must defend its sovereignty even if China makes a claim on the country’s territories. Muhyiddin claimed that Anwar’s parliamentary remarks on Tuesday in the Dewan Rakyat had the implication of indirectly acknowledging China’s claim on areas that are legitimately Malaysia’s territory and which Malaysia must defend.

Muhyiddin’s criticism was published on his Facebook page, which Lee described as cowardly as he cited Muhyiddin’s continued absence from Prime Minister’s Question Time. Lee stated that Muhyiddin could have used the sessions as the platform to question or debate Anwar directly about the issue, but failed to do so. He added that what makes Muhyiddin worse is that he only issued the statement on Facebook and was cowardly to face the prime minister in Parliament. In fact, Muhyiddin is among the frequent absentee MPs.

On April 4, Anwar said that he had informed China that Petronas’s exploration of an area, which was also claimed by China, was viewed by Malaysia as its territory and that Petronas would continue its activity there but added that Malaysia was open to negotiations if China felt that area was their right.

To conclude, the accusation of playing ‘dirty politics’ by Howard Lee on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin brings forth the complexities of international relations concerning the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Though Muhyiddin’s criticism of Anwar was justified concerning Malaysia’s sovereignty, it raised questions on his absence from Prime Minister’s Question Time and the use of social media over direct debate in Parliament. Regardless of which party is in power, maintaining peace and stability is pivotal when dealing with superpowers, and the language of diplomacy matters.