Ikmal Hazlan Hisham suggested that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) be allowed use of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Labuan to launch their aircraft.
Such military cooperation could be further enhanced by inviting another strategic partner, such as the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force as part of a trilateral arrangement to establish maritime domain awareness, operating from the Labuan military base.
The suggestion for enhanced military cooperation in eastern Malaysia comes a week after China passed a law that for the first time explicitly allows its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels, a move that could heighten tensions in the South China Sea.
China’s claims over the South China Sea have caused tensions with western powers, particularly the US, and with neighbouring countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines.
China’s coast guard has also stationed ships close to Sabah waters and the presence of the ships has caused diplomatic tensions in the past.
Ikmal, who is Umno Youth’s chairman for international affairs, made his suggestions in a statement to mark the launch of the Malaysia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Wednesday.
The two countries are to collaborate in new fields such as digital economy, health emergencies, youth empowerment and other areas, in addition to the existing cooperation between Malaysia-Australia.
Australia’s air force has maintained a presence at the Butterworth air base, which it controlled from 1958 to 1970 when it was handed over to the RMAF.
Malaysia and Australia continue to cooperate through the Five Power Defence Arrangements for the defence of Malaysia and Singapore, and a Malaysia-Australia joint defence programme.
Ikmal said Australia had contributed towards maritime surveillance activities by stationing
AP-3C Orion and P8A-Poseidon maritime aircraft at Butterworth, which operate patrols under Operation Gateway.
The Orion aircraft was involved in the search for Malaysia Airline’s missing MH370 airliner, and the search for the ship Orkim Harmony which was hijacked by pirates in 2015.
Ikmal said the strategic value of granting RAAF access to Butterworth air base had been proven on numerous occasions.