Step up security for front line East Malaysia, says MP

 

Coast guard ships of China and the Philippines seen at a disputed site in the South China Sea in March. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: The government should enhance security in the waters of Sabah and Sarawak to ensure the country could defend itself against any conflict in the South China Sea, a Warisan leader said.

Papar MP Ahmad Hassan said China had recently increased its military spending and carried out large-scale military drills surrounding Taiwan, following US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island state.

The Philippines had also protested at the return of a massive Chinese fleet operating around the disputed Whitsun Reef, he said.

“Sabah and Sarawak will be at the front lines if a conflict erupts over the South China Sea and if Malaysia remains weak and irresolute in defending its sovereignty and maritime security,” he said in a statement.

-ADVERTISEMENT-

Ads by 

He urged Putrajaya to take advantage of China’s readiness to work with Asean to settle disputes over the South China Sea and to be firm and not side with Beijing.

Malaysia’s special envoy to China, Bintulu MP Tiong King Sing, recently came under fire for criticising Pelosi’s Taiwan trip. His remarks were viewed as being pro-Beijing, in contrast to the foreign ministry’s official position on the dispute.

Ahmad also called for military equipment to be upgraded, especially those of the navy.

He said the recent controversy over the delays in building six frigates in the littoral combat ship programme showed that Malaysia is weak. “And if we continue to be seen as such, then we will incur a lot of losses, especially economically,” he said. - FMT