Govt's anti-war stance at odds with US warships docking, Lynas deal - Wong

 

Subang MP Wong Chen has called on the Madani government to clarify what he described as contradictions in its foreign policy, particularly on conflicts involving Palestine, Iran, and the United States.

Wong, who chairs the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on International Relations and International Trade, noted that Putrajaya has taken a “critical and vocal position on Palestine and Gaza” while adopting a less critical stance in urging de-escalation and peace talks over the war involving Iran.

“However, these positions do not sit well with recent action of allowing US warships to berth in Penang and also the recent announcement that Lynas will be supplying the Pentagon with rare earth for weapons,” he told Malaysiakini.

“The Madani government needs to explain these apparent contradictions,” he said.

Previously, photographs shared across social media showed the two warships berthed at the North Butterworth Container Terminal.

According to the NST, the vessels, which are fitted out for minesweeping operations and most recently forward-deployed in West Asia, were sent to Bahrain within the past year as replacements for the now-decommissioned Avenger-class minehunters.

US warship in Penang

Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said the two US littoral combat ships that docked in Penang on March 14 and departed two days later had complied with local procedures.

Wong, however, argued that Malaysia should have denied the berthing of US warships, warning that their presence could expose the country to danger and raise concern among Muslims.

“We should have denied the berthing of the warships as it will create unnecessary security risks to us and at the same time create uneasiness among the Muslim population, especially during Ramadan.

“These warships should have been asked to head further south to Singapore,” he added.

Weapons manufacturing

On Lynas, Wong pointed out that the Atomic Energy Licensing (Amendment) Act has not been ratified, and therefore, the matter falls outside any such framework.

“As for Lynas, the Act has not been ratified yet, thus the Lynas question is not part of the Act’s arrangement.

“While the government may not be able to control what Lynas produces and to whom they can sell their products to, going forward, it should be a national policy that we should not encourage foreign direct investments that are involved in the manufacturing of weapons and arms,” he said.

The Pentagon is the headquarters of the US’ Department of Defense

Lynas’ operations in Malaysia have come under further scrutiny after the company inked a deal to supply rare earth materials to the US’ defence sector.

Meanwhile, Wong said the international relations and international trade PSSC will only resume sittings in about three months.

“Due to organisational and budgetary constraints, my committee will only resume sitting in June and can only pursue this matter more thoroughly then.

“Nevertheless, we will attempt to find the budget for a more urgent hearing after Hari Raya,” he added. - Mkini