The Amanah president said China should not be like the US, which he said had left neighbouring countries like Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia and Cuba in poverty, causing their citizens to migrate in search of greener pastures.

“If China wants to be – as the defence minister said – a ‘big brother’, it should let its economic strength ‘overflow’ to neighbouring countries.

“The only thing we are worried about is that Malaysia is a little slow in drawing on China’s strength and technological development. Don’t just let it flow to Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia only.

“We want to be there together, while China itself must also respect other countries, not just show its strength. There should be open discussions with other countries, especially those from Asean,” he told the Dewan Rakyat while debating the 12th Malaysia Plan today.

If China agreed to this “Shared Prosperity” concept, he said, it would ensure that Asean and China’s immediate neighbours are able to look after the region on their own instead of relying on external forces.

Mohamad, who is also known as Mat Sabu, added that the Straits of Melaka was a key passageway for over 100,000 ships annually, saying there were “strong powers” that wanted to have control of the region.