The Prime Minister’s Office said the federal government’s position on the matter is that the Act had been enacted and approved in Parliament in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

“Although the Terengganu state assembly has decided to reject its usage, the law remains valid and applicable throughout Malaysia, including in the state, unless declared otherwise by the courts,” it said in a statement today.

It stressed that it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure Malaysia’s sovereignty, including its territorial waters, are always protected.

Yesterday, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil urged Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar to ask Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang why he did not protest against the Act when it was debated in Parliament in 2012.

Fahmi said the Terengganu government’s decision to reject the law was viewed as a cynical and hypocritical act.

He said he had checked the Hansard on the Dewan Rakyat proceedings on April 18, 2012, when the Territorial Sea Bill was tabled, debated and passed.

He said no Terengganu MPs from PAS had objected to the bill.

Fahmi said Samsuri should discuss with the federal government, especially Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, for a solution to the matter.

On Thursday, the Terengganu state assembly unanimously approved a motion to reject the Act on grounds that it infringed on the state’s rights to explore resources and generate revenue within its maritime borders.