MOHAMAD: KL FIRM ON SOUTH CHINA SEA STAYING A FREE ZONE
Superpowers must respect sea as | a neutral area, says minister
MALAYSIA will continue to insist on the South China Sea remaining a zone free from military competition and enhancement, said Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.
Mohamad said Malaysia was firm on its stance despite the big powers, like the United States and China, giving their assurance about making the international route a safe area.
Concerns about this cropped up again following a near-collision between US and Chinese warships in the South China Sea on Sept 30.
Mohamad said the call for the South China Sea to remain a safe zone had been made by Malaysia since the time of second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
“We want the superpowers to respect the South China Sea as a neutral and safe area,” he said.
Mohamad, who is here since Oct 18, reiterated Malaysia’s warm defence relations with Singapore in his introductory visit to the republic.
He also attended the 12th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the fifth ADMMPlus.
He said in open forums, the superpowers always expressed their respect for the laws of international waters, but the reality was otherwise.
“That is what they said, but in reality, it is not the case. Take the near collision involving two warships in Spratly Islands recently, for example.
“All Asean countries, including Singapore, said if a collision had occurred that day, ADMM would turn out differently.”
Mohamad called on his Singapore counterpart, Dr Ng Eng Hen, last Thursday and visited the Information Fusion Centre at the Changi Naval Base, where he met Malaysian troops participating in Exercise Bersama Lima 2018.
He visited the 3rd Singapore Division, where he was briefed on the Singapore army and viewed a static display of army assets and weapon systems, as well as embarked on a familiarisation ride on the Light Strike Vehicle Mark II.
Mohamad also paid a courtesy call on Acting Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.