He said the government would employ diplomacy in working towards ensuring that the creation of this pact would not threaten regional peace and lead to unseen and dangerous outcomes.

He said the government might use its 50-year Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) with New Zealand, the UK, Australia and Singapore as leverage in handling the issue.

Hishammuddin said this in responding to a question by Mohamad Sabu (PH-Kota Raja) on how Malaysia aimed to maintain Asean’s neutrality with the new pact in place.

“I have been consistently (saying) that if we don’t use diplomacy to approach large foreign powers, a collision or unplanned actions can take place that may cause an uncontrollable situation.”

It was recently announced that the US, Australia and the UK have formed a new security partnership to be known as Aukus.  Not much is clear about the pact but the most significant is that Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines which will be deployed to “sustain and improve deterrence across the Indo-Pacific”.

Many see it as a move to check China and fear that this will only further aggravate tensions in this region.

Hishammuddin said: “I also spoke with Australian home affairs minister Peter Dutton and reiterated Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s concerns that the trilateral Aukus pact may threaten peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.

Hishammuddin maintained that all parties must avoid provocative military action.

He said he would get China’s views on the matter during an upcoming working trip to the republic.