Is Malaysia being intimidated by China’s economic clout?

It is unfortunate that a Chinese government survey ship has tagged an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas in the disputed waters in the South China Sea. It was close to the Petronas-operated West Capella, according to the security sources. One of the sources said a Vietnamese vessel was also tagging the West Capella.

The Malaysian government should, in fact, voice a diplomatic protest to the Chinese and Vietnamese governments on such encroachment and intimidation. Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s assertion on the sensitivity of the issue has basically compromised Malaysian rights to explore the seas freely within its jurisdiction and rights.

While the area is close to the waters claimed by both Vietnam and Malaysia as well as by China, China’s sweeping claim to most of the South China Sea within its U-shaped 'nine-dash line' (above) is not acceptable and it is not recognised by its neighbours or most of the world. Its self-proclaimed sovereignty over the entire South China Sea guides its behaviour and it is against the collective interest of the region.

It is vital for the Malaysian government to use this incident to reaffirm the findings of an international tribunal at the Hague on China’s behaviour in the South China Sea, including its construction of artificial islands.

In the tribunal’s judgement, it said China’s expansive claim to sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis and most importantly, in its most significant finding, the tribunal rejected China’s argument that it enjoys historical rights over most of the South China Sea.

It is sad that Asean which includes Malaysia has been timid in addressing these issues in the context of the tribunal findings and international law due to Chinese economic clout in these countries.

Therefore, the Association for Community and Dialogue would like to urge the Malaysian government to exert its rights based on international law and not be intimidated and blinded by Chinese aid in the current battle with Covid-19. 

If such deafening silence is going to be a norm than we will end up with another hegemonic power besides the US using economic and military intimidation to dominate the seas that are rich with oil reserves. 

The constant conflict in West Asia should be lesson to oppose hegemonic powers who use economic and military power to dominate the region with the objective to control valuable resources such as oil using the term "national interest" which is against collective interest of the entire region.

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The writer, Ronald Benjamin is secretary, Association for Community and Dialogue. - Mkini