KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA has voiced opposition to the 'provocative' move by Taiwan to hold a referendum today on its United Nations' membership, saying it may jeopardise peace and stability in the region and beyond.

'We therefore oppose such a provocative move and reaffirm the 'One China' policy,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Self-governing Taiwan announced plans to hold the referendum on whether to seek UN membership under the name 'Taiwan'. Beijing has warned that Taiwan is courting danger.

The foreign ministry statement said that as a member of the current General Committee of the UN General Assembly, Malaysia had spoken against the proposal for the issue of Taiwan's membership to the UN to be included in the agenda of the UN General Assembly.

More than 17 million people in Taiwan went to the polls today to choose a successor to President Chen Shui-bian. Taiwan's ruling party planned to hold the referendum alongside the presidential elections, ignoring warnings from the United States and China.

China has claimed sovereignity over Taiwan since the Chinese civil war ended in 1949. Beijing has threatened to use force if the island formally declares statehood.

Repeated attempts by Taiwan to join the UN under its formal name, the Republic of China, have failed, prompting the campaign to pursue membership under the name Taiwan. -- BERNAMA