In a statement today, Patriots president Brigardier-General (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said the additional allocation would allow the armed forces, especially the navy, to position and patrol our claimed territories, against the threat from superpowers such as China.
“We must exert our sovereignty over our claimed areas with our military presence, because this has potential to secure our economic lifeline in the future.
“That is why the role of our armed forces in this South China Sea conflict is very important,” he said referring to the dispute over how China has claimed islands as far as the waters between Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
In recent years, the conflict has especially escalated between Vietnam and China on the issue of such territorial disputes.
Arshad said China and Vietnam had positioned their troops and built structures in several of the islands they claimed.
“Our country has maintained a low profile approach preferring a soft diplomacy or ‘amicable way’ to handle problems, but it is time Malaysia is more assertive in this South China Sea conflict.
“Patriots want the government to play a more assertive diplomatic role, because our country’s territorial, maritime, and economic interest is of utmost importance,” he said.
Arshad also expressed fears that the current South China Sea territorial and maritime conflict can escalate into confrontation and a war.
He cited a Reuters report yesterday, which mentioned how China had expanded its islands in the disputed South China Sea with construction projects this year, including radar facilities.
“Any major power, be it US or China, building up bases in the Asean region is an absolute no, no.
“It is a different story if claimants to the uninhabited islands and atolls send their troops with small arms to occupy or even build structures. Building up the area into a huge military base with offensive capability is a definite no,” he said.
“It is imperative for Malaysia to be more assertive as our low profiling can be construed as tacit approval to China’s aggressive stance.”
Arshad then called for the basic international convention under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to be abided by all nations making any claim in the South China Sea.
UNCLOS allows for 200 miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ) beyond a country’s shoreline.