According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ismail had raised the issue during a phone call with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday.

Ismail said the pact, which will see Australia acquiring the technology required to deploy nuclear-powered submarines, was bound to spark a nuclear weapon race in the Indo-Pacific region.

“At the same time, it will provoke other powers to take more aggressive action in this region, especially in the South China Sea.”

Ismail added that as an Asean member state, Malaysia would hold on to the principle of retaining the region as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (Zopfan).

Meanwhile, the prime minister also stressed the importance of respecting and abiding by Malaysia’s current stand on nuclear submarines operating in Malaysian waters under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ).

During the phone call, both leaders also reached a consensus on renewing their commitment towards peace and international security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, with both countries enhancing cooperation and consultations in several aspects, including on defence matters.

Earlier reports indicated that New Zealand’s longstanding nuclear-free policy also meant that Australian submarines developed under the Aukus deal are banned from its waters.

“New Zealand’s position in relation to the prohibition of nuclear-powered vessels in our waters remains unchanged,” prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, had said.

It was reported that at least eight nuclear-powered submarines would be built for the Royal Australian Navy in Adelaide in close cooperation with the UK and US.

Australia also announced that the previous contract with France’s Naval Group for the construction of 12 conventional submarines had been terminated.

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