Asean region should be free of ‘big warships’

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Asean would have no problems with the United States’ Indo-Pacific vision as long as it does not involve “sending their Seventh Fleet into this area”.

He said Malaysia had always maintained that the seas in the Asean region should be free of “big warships”.

“Small patrol boats are ok... these are needed to deal with piracy mainly, but big warships may cause incidents and that will lead to tensions. If the strategy does not involve sending the Seventh Fleet into this area, we welcome that,” he said when asked about Asean’s stand on the Indo-Pacific vision announced by US Vice-President Mike Pence.

Meanwhile, on his meeting with his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, yesterday, Dr Mahathir said he spoke a lot about education.

“There are a lot of Australian university branches in Malaysia and it helps poorer people get an Australian education,” he said.

Asked if he had also raised the issue of getting convicted murderer Sirul Azhar Umar repatriated to Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said it was not discussed.

Dr Mahathir also said Asean had made it clear to Aung San Suu Kyi that the Myanmar government must do something to resolve the Rohingya issue.

He said it was about time the Rohingya were allowed to return to their homes and given some kind of protection.

Dr Mahathir said even Pence had issued the strongest statement about Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya.

Dr Mahathir said while Suu Kyi might not be the head of government in Myanmar, she must influence her government on the opinions expressed in the summit.

Asked if he would continue to criticise her if Suu Kyi fails to do anything, Dr Mahathir said: “She knows very well my views, and the government’s views. When this thing happened, I wrote a letter to her but she did not acknowledge or reply, and I didn’t ask her if she had received it or not.”

Dr Mahathir was also asked on his interaction with Suu Kyi throughout the summit, and if he had shaken hands with her.

To this, the prime minister said “she extended her hand, I can’t just ignore”.