KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Mar: The Malaysian government needs to take a firm stand in stating their stance at conferences of Asean countries to express concern over the presence of military from huge powers that can disrupt regional stability.
Gombak Member of Parliament, Mohamed Azmin Ali, said that the summit that will be held in this country at the end of the year should be used as best possible to maintain regional harmony.
He said that the military competition between the United States of America and China in the Asean region needs to be given serious attention to ensure an independent concept and ensure regional security.
“In reaction to China, the US decided to move 60 percent of its naval forces to Asia-Pacific by 2020.
“We have gone through the painful experience of losing Pulau Batu Putih to Singapore. Do we want to lose the Spartley Islands next?
“It is recommend for a peace resolution and the freedom of Asean to be defended,” said Mohamed Azmin who is also the Selangor Chief Minister during the Parliamentary session in the Royal Address today.
The ZOPFAN (Zone of Peace, Freedom & Neutrality) concept was announced by Azean foreign ministers through the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on November 27, 1971, which was also held in Kuala Lumpur.
Mohamed Azmin said that if the two superpowers, the US and China, tries to influence the balance of power in Asean, it will also affect the peace of Southeast Asia in the future.
“It is very disappointing. Putrajaya is seen as very week in the eyes of the world, especially in the matter of security of ASEAN in the South China Sea.
“There is a need for Asean to return to the ZOPFAN concept,” he said.
He said that the government should be concerned in maintaining national sovereignty and to ensure that there are no threats of terrorist activities.
“We need to emphasise the practice of Islamic justice and the real meaning of Jihad as expressed by Yusof Al-Qaradawi who learned from experiences in Central Asia,” he said.
NS
