KUALA LUMPUR, 5 OCTOBER – The sovereignty of nations, especially Malaysia, involved in over-lapping territorial claims in the South China Sea will be safeguarded at all times.
Giving this assurance, representatives of member nations of the Five-Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) said that the affected nations should not be overly alarmed at increased maritime developments off their coastlines.
Speaking on their behalf, Australian Defence Force chief Gen Angus Campbell said that there were international laws and defence pacts to ensure an orderly watch in the South China Sea, which is an active and important waterway for shipping and rich in hydro-carbons in the Spratlys archipelago of islands, islets, cays, reefs, shoals and atolls.
He was asked on the increasing presence of China’s maritime vessels off Malaysia’s eastern states of Sarawak and Sabah, especially around Beting Patinggi Ali (South Luconia Shoals, 150km off Tanjung Baram, Miri) and its aggressive claims within the ‘Nine-Dash Line’ in the South China Sea.
“Our military forces will continue monitoring the situation, according to international laws, just like how we have been doing for many decades,
“It is the right of nations laying territorial claims within their exclusive economic zones, to do so in the disputed region,
“Such disputes should be resolved peacefully and through the principles of international laws,
“That is the basis for countries to both feel secure and build prosperity in the region, which we are utterly committed to,
“You can be assured that we are very much focused on our nations working together in the interest of security here in Malaysia and in the region,” Campbell said at the close of the ‘22nd FPDA Defence Chiefs Conference 2023’ at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Jalan Ampang.
Present were Malaysian Defence Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Abdul Rahman, his counterparts Air Marshal Kevin Short from New Zealand and Vice-Admiral Aaron Beng from Singapore, and the United Kingdom’s Defence Staff vice-chief General Gwyn Jenkins.
Apart from the FPDA, the South China Sea is also marshalled by other defence pacts including the tri-lateral Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS) and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) involving Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
Last May, Campbell told the Australian Senate estimates hearing that Canberra had urged Beijing to be more transparent about its military expansion – of land, air, sea space and cyber – and provide assurances to the international community
Campbell had described the build-up as the biggest and most consequential undertaken by any nation since World War II.
Campbell warned the scale at which China was developing its armed forces meant Australia needed to radically rethink the way it planned its own defences.
Malaysian Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia was aware of China’s coast guard vessels’ presence and that it would defend the country’s sovereignty in the gas fields at Beting Patinggi Ali and Kasawari in its EEZ, as recognised under United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Meanwhile, Mohammad said that Malaysia believed in the importance of Asean centrality regarding the ongoing maritime dispute.
“The Asean centrality concept, as stated in the ‘Asean Outlook on The Indo-Pacific’, broadly emphasises that Asean must become the dominant regional platform to overcome common challenges and engage with external powers,” said Mohammad.
He added that the FPDA remained relevant for member countries to share perspectives on regional security matters and enhance the military and defence cooperation.
“After over 50 years of existence, the FPDA is the region’s longest-standing defence pact.
“It has grown in scope and depth by introducing elements of maritime security, counter-terrorism, collaboration on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and strengthening the cyber and information domain.
“This has proven to be a reliable platform for fostering trust, confidence, inter-operability, professionalism and strong bonds among the military forces of member nations, significantly contributing to regional peace, stability and security,” Mohammad said.
He added that they had set forth a clear directive to guide the development of FPDA exercises and activities, to bolster the capacity for conventional and non-conventional operations.
The conference encompasses the ‘Exercise Bersama Shield 2023’ held last April and the ‘Exercise Bersama Lima 2023’ conducted at the Joint Force Headquarters in Kuantan, Pahang on Oct 2-20.
The field training and command post exercises involved the tactical execution of field troop deployment of 2,500 personnel, 44 aircraft and seven ships to demonstrate a multifaceted approach to military preparedness.
“Elevating the capacity in conventional and non-conventional operations will prepare the FPDA member nations to respond more resiliently to dynamic security challenges from the geopolitical dynamism and rapid technological advancement, strengthening the cooperation of the five countries,” Mohammad said.
The FPDA defence chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to the pact and its founding principles, emphasising its continued relevance and defensive nature while evolving at a comfortable pace for all.
They also emphasised the importance of the ‘3Rs’ (Remit, Relevance, and Reassurance), which guide the FPDA’s development and future outlook.
Additionally, they underscored the FPDA’s significance as a transparent, constructive, and peace-promoting arrangement within the regional security architecture.
The formalisation of the FPDA observer programme has also enabled regional nations to understand and observe FPDA exercises.
Acknowledging the need for flexibility and adaptability in response to dynamic security landscapes, the Defence Chiefs discussed strategies to enhance exercise designs and complexity.
On another note, Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation director-general Lieutenant-General Datuk Norihan Jalal briefed on the prevailing regional security environment and updates on FPDA activities and exercises since 2022.
Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System commander Air Vice-Marshal Geoffrey Harland provided insights into HQIADS’ development and exercise conduct.
It culminated with the ‘FPDA Exercise Concept Directive 2023’ and the deliberation of a five-year roadmap for the FPDA’s advancement. – airtimes.my
