Demilitarise seas around Asean, says ex-envoy

Redzuan Kushairi calls for adherence to the 1971 Zopfan declaration.

Warships are seen on patrol in the South China Sea. (Reuters pic)

GEORGE TOWN: A former diplomat has called for the demilitarisation of seas touching the shores of Asean, saying it would be in keeping with the bloc’s 1971 declaration of its zone of peace, freedom and neutrality (Zopfan).

In an interview with FMT, Redzuan Kushairi, whose last posting as ambassador was in Uzbekistan, criticised the alleged step-up in US navy patrols in the region.

He said he strongly supported Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s call for a reduction in the presence of warships in the South China Sea and the Straits of Melaka.

In a recent press interview, Mahathir spoke of “too many warships” in the South China Sea and suggested that peace be maintained in the region with joint small-boat patrols instead.

“Warships create tension,” the prime minister said. “Someday, somebody might make some mistakes and there will be a fight. Some ships will be lost, and there might be a war. We don’t want that.”

Redzuan said demilitarisation, in line with Zopfan, would reduce tensions and help prevent “the likelihood of an unwanted or accidental clash of major powers in the region”.

Zopfan was declared during the Cold War and at the height of the Vietnam War. Redzuan said it had become “most relevant today” in the context of a possible return of big power rivalry in Southeast Asia and of efforts to prevent the “splitting and weakening” of Asean.

Redzuan also spoke of the possibility of US President Donald Trump visiting Malaysia after the Asean summit in Singapore this November.

He said it would provide an opportunity for Mahathir to have discussions with him on a wide range of issues, such as the South China Sea and the rise of China, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and other regional free trade pacts, Palestine, refugees, democracy and human rights.

“But on every issue,” he said, “Malaysia’s position, especially under Mahathir and the Pakatan Harapan government, will just be the opposite of Trump’s.

“And Trump is not the sort of world leader who would listen to the views of other leaders and try to build a consensus. He will do things his way, as we saw from the recent G7 meeting in Canada and his past meetings with European Union leaders.”

A White House official told newsmen in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday that Trump was looking forward to “deepening our comprehensive partnership with Malaysia”. -FMT