A Malaysian opposition MP has suggested that Malaysia should have its own name for the South China Sea, similar to its neighboring countries.

“Can we rename it as the Southeast Asia Sea (Laut Asia Tenggara), the Melayu Sea (Laut Melayu), or another name that reflects the sea’s presence in our territory and avoids confusion with other names,” said Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 22).

She pointed out that other nations, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, have renamed parts of the sea to reflect their own territories, calling it the West Philippine Sea, North Natuna Sea, and East Sea, respectively.