South China Sea clash raises Vietnam-Malaysia tensions after fisherman shot dead
- The incident took place on Sunday after Malaysia’s coastguard attempted to inspect two Vietnamese boats deemed to be engaged in illegal fishing
- Analysts have raised concerns over the implications for relations within Asean – as well as the region’s ties with China
Vietnam late on Monday said it had contacted Malaysia over the incident, which took place in Malaysian waters, and asked its officials in the country to investigate the death and protect the rights of other detained fishermen.
The incident occurred late on Sunday after Malaysia’s coastguard attempted to inspect two boats in waters east of Kelantan deemed to be engaged in illegal fishing.
The 19 Vietnamese crew members aboard the two boats “acted aggressively” and threw “diesel bombs” when they were ordered to surrender, Malaysia’s coastguard said in a statement. A warning shot was also fired but ignored, according to Kelantan Coastguard Director Muhd Nur Syam Asmawie Yaacob.
Coastguard chief Mohamad Zubil Mat Som told Agence France-Presse that his men had “no choice but to open fire in self defence”, adding that they did so “to protect their lives and to protect our national sovereignty”.
