DAP backs Anwar on neutral Asean, chides Aussie 'escalation'

 

DAP has expressed support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment towards ensuring an independent, peaceful, and neutral Asean.

Party chairperson Lim Guan Eng said Anwar’s position - stated during an interview with China’s national broadcaster CCTV - should send a clear message to superpowers not to turn Asean into a potential war zone.

“For this reason, Australia’s purchase of eight nuclear attack submarines for AUD$368 billion under the trilateral Australia, United Kingdom, and US (Aukus) security pact, poses an unwanted escalation that does not lessen but heightens military tensions between the superpowers.

“Bearing in mind that Australia is just our next-door neighbour to Asean, having eight nuclear attack submarines at our doorstep can only aggravate the situation in the region,” Lim (above) said in a statement today.

Although Aukus has assured that the submarines will not have nuclear weapons, Lim said any incursions into Asean waters can still pose unnecessary risks to traffic in one of the busiest trade routes in the world.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the former’s recent visit to Beijing

“DAP fully supports Anwar in stating that Malaysia has raised concern and is adopting a tougher line that Aukus in the Indo-Pacific would further aggravate the situation in the region.

“Such concerns are valid in light of the increased tensions in the Taiwan Straits despite all countries to the dispute agreeing with the One China policy, that Taiwan is an inalienable and indisputable part of China.

“Malaysia does not want to be drawn into any military conflict but would strive to trade with all superpowers in the hope that the mutual benefits and wealth from free trade, unhampered by restrictions to navigation in international waters, can contribute towards peace and prosperity,” the Bagan MP added.

CCTV interviewed Anwar during his three-day official visit to Beijing last week, where he said Asean promoted peace, stability, and cooperation in the region.

“That position continues. We don’t want the region to be the base for military competition. That position has been quite consistent although we remain friendly to all countries,” he said during the interview. - Mkini