‘Soldiers in Saudi Arabia to return soon’
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian soldiers in Saudi Arabia will be brought home soon, said Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.
He said the decision was made in the cabinet meeting last week, following Malaysia’s foreign policy of non-alignment and non-intervention of political ideologies of the world major powers.
“The cabinet made the decision last week. We are waiting for the preparation carried out by the Armed Forces.
“We are also waiting for the cooperation from the Foreign Ministry,” he said at the Defence Ministry.
Human rights body Lawyers for Liberty had previously urged the ministry to stop military involvement in Yemen and recall soldiers deployed to Riyadh since 2015.
Mohamad said Malaysia was committed to its neutral foreign policy and maintained diplomatic ties with the Western Asian countries, especially Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq and Syria.
He said 800 members of Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-5 had also been deployed under the United Nations (UN) Interim Force peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
Mohamad said the government hoped major powers like China and the United States would respect Malaysia’s stand in maintaining South
China Sea’s status as a free and safe zone for all the countries in the region.
He said the sea played an integral role in the stability and economy of Southeast Asia.
“Malaysia does not want the presence of battleships from China and US to become a threat.”
He said Malaysia’s stand was echoed by other Southeast Asian countries bordering the South China Sea and wished for continued peace in international waters.
“Thus, we hope China and US will respect the stand made by Southeast Asia countries for the waters to remain a safe zone.”
He said Malaysia did not intend to be part of any armed conflict with other countries.
“The government’s stand on the security issue of the South China Sea was expressed at the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last month.
“Apart from South China Sea, the government also views seriously the safety aspect of the Straits of Malacca, which is one of
the busiest shipping channels in the world.
“Thus, we want more patrol ships deployed to safeguard the waters from any threats, including piracy,” he said.
Mohamad said the ministry planned to increase the procurement of military assets through the national budget next year.
“The issue of national security should not be taken lightly. That is why we are planning to include the acquisition of assets needed by the Armed Forces in the budget.
“They include aircraft for safeguarding and monitoring national security,” he said.
On a separate matter, Mohamad said the ministry would continue with the mission and vision drafted by the previous government.
“As of now, we will carry out (programmes) agreed by the previous government. We will improve weaknesses and the quality of services provided by Defence Ministry to the people.”