SPRATLY ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED THROUGH TALKS - NAJIB

PUTRAJAYA, May 14 (Bernama) -- The overlapping claims on the Spratly islands in the South China Sea can be resolved through negotiations and it need not be made an issue that can bring tension, said Najib Razak.

"We have the mechanism process to resolve the question of claims like this.
There are international law principles and mechanisms to negotiate the
overlapping areas," said the Malaysian Prime Minister to reporters here
Thursday.

He was asked to comment on the Chinese government's warning to neighbouring
countries to stay off the islands besides reminding the United Nations (UN) that
the republic's sovereignty over Spratly is indisputable.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said his government
had told the United Nations that Beijing will not tolerate other countries
claiming the islands.

The Spratly islands which are rich in oil and gas resources and
strategically located are claimed in part or in full by China, Malaysia, Taiwan,
Vietnam, Philippines and Brunei.

Najib said solving a problem through negotiations according to certain
procedures could prevent untoward incidents from happening.

"I believe if we hold on to the existing procedure to solve any overlapping
claims, we can avoid problems that are too heavy or too complicated," he said.
-- BERNAMA