US ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Lakhdhir said the US, like Malaysia, had the right to navigate in any international waters, according to the laws of the sea.

She said all military, navy or civil vessels, when sailing in international waters, followed international laws governing the high seas.

“Of course, if we have entered Malaysian waters, that is something we will speak government to government.

“We have freedom of navigation and Malaysian ships also transit the world and have done so for decades, if not hundreds of years.

“So, I think this is acceptable under international law,” she said at the Swettenham Pier here today.

Lakhdhir was responding to a statement by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, who had wanted the US and China to stop flexing their military strength in the South China Sea through the presence of warships in the resource-rich waters.

Mohamad had told Beijing and Washington that their ships might pass, but they should not “be lingering around to show their power”.

He said the South China Sea should be free of warships, amid escalating military tension between the United States and China in the resource-rich waters.

Meanwhile, Lakhdhir said Malaysia’s military ties with the US continued to be strong.

“I foresee military exercises to continue for the benefit of the US, Malaysia and regional partners.”

Earlier, Lakhdhir visited USNS Brunswick, a Navy support ship docked at the pier.

The ambassador and some 30 members of the ship’s crew will celebrate a belated US Independence Day at a hotel here today.

Brunswick is one of three expeditionary fast transport ships on a mission to provide rapid transport of troops and military equipment.

The ship is configured for humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

Your warships can pass, but don’t stay, Malaysia tells China, US