Malaysia proud to be able to maintain peace in region — Mat Sabu

TAWAU: Malaysia being a multiracial and religious country can be proud of the unity and peace in the Southeast Asian region, which is one of the most peaceful without any wars among countries since 1973.

Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu said Malaysia can maintain peace in the region at a good level even with a diversity of religion, race and culture.

“The world today is faced with new threats called asymmetric threats or non-traditional threats. In the past, the war occurred between countries and other countries, but today the threat is not necessarily between the state or other bodies. The threats of this new form include terrorist attacks, cyber attacks and natural disasters,” he said when officiating the Warriors’ Fund campaign at a leading hotel on Sunday.

In countries outside of Southeast Asia, he said it is currently dealing with violence and warfare activities involving countries and individuals. War broke out among neighboring countries as happened in Yemen and Syria, as well as in Palestine, involving those of same nationalities, religion and culture that should unite them, but today is a battlefield that has killed tens of thousands innocent lives including children, women and elders.

Mohd Sabu said individual killings and torture have been widespread. Mostly use religious images to legalize their actions. Their struggle is far from the goal of religious teaching, especially the Islamic religion which requires people to safeguard peace, not force other religious followers to follow Islam and always tolerate the multiracial society.

He said Malaysia and Southeast Asia region particularly, are located in the major routes or locations of competing world powers, such as the United States and China in the South China Sea. Malaysia and ASEAN countries are still peaceful and not involved in any war.

The firmness of Malaysia and ASEAN nations to reject any weapon and military competition in the South China Sea and to put peaceful efforts first in resolving disputes that take place in this area make the region safer to this day.

The efforts made by ASEAN nation leaders, together with their dialogue partners outside of ASEAN, have portrayed unity and togetherness of the ASEAN nations, in order to preserve and enhance the security of the region. The position of Malaysia is also among the eight most strategic locations in the world due to the existence of the Melaka Straits which has become the most important trade route in the world since the era of the Malay sultanate.

“Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand’s joint efforts to control or carry out maritime patrols in the Straits of Malacca have succeeded in drastically lowering piracy activities in the sea, which has been disturbing and threatening merchant ships from all over the world,” he said.

He added about 100,000 merchant vessels passed through the Straits of Melaka each year and about three trillion USD worth of trade passed through the South China Sea each year. This makes the region extremely valuable to world trade because of its strategic position and security.

“The peace and security of our country’s achieved today is a result of the efforts and sacrifices of national heroes, especially military personnel for a long time. Their presence and defense diplomacy have led Malaysia to be in the position today,” he said.

Mohamad Sabu said the excellent service by the military had been recognized by the world, until our troop members were involved in peacekeeping operations under the United Nations (UN). There are former military personnel involved in security operations in Congo, Bosnia, Somalia and Lebanon to this day.

The services of those who preserve the peace of the country have been enjoyed by all Malaysians when we are free to carry out daily activities, including educating the children, providing health care, and conducting business activities without interruption. This situation differs from countries that do not have the security of security.

“Due to the services of the securities forces in maintaining peace and secuirty, it has also attracted investors and foreign tourists to come to our country. All of this has had an impact on the country’s economic growth and progress. Therefore, we are obliged to acknowledge the services and sacrifices of national soldiers who are still in service or have already retired from service,” he said.