ANNOUNCEMENT BY AUSTRALIA, UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES ON ENHANCED TRILATERAL SECURITY PARTNERSHIP – AUKUS

 

I fully support the statement made by YAB Prime Minister with regard to the newly created AUKUS pact. Malaysia is steadfast in its position on maintaining international peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, including issues related to nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Malaysia's stand on the issue had been discussed and agreed upon in the Cabinet meeting last Friday.

I share YAB Prime Minister’s concerns that the establishment of AUKUS could lead to the escalation of arms race in the region. It could also potentially spark tension among the world superpowers, and aggravate aggression between them in the region, particularly in the South China Sea. Hence, I call for all concerned parties within this region and beyond to strengthen further active cooperation in promoting and sustaining the region as a region of peace, stability, as well as of growth and prosperity as espoused in the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific.

I also reaffirm YAB Prime Minister’s assertion for all concerned parties to respect and comply with existing Malaysia’s national regime under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ASEAN’s Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty and Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality Treaty (ZOPFAN).

Recently I also had a telephone conversation with my Australian counterpart, the Hon. Senator Marise Payne. She briefed me on AUKUS as well, and I have agreed to the proposal by the Hon. Marise Payne to send officials to Malaysia to provide us with further clarification and understanding on this matter.

 

DATO’ SAIFUDDIN ABDULLAH
19 SEPTEMBER 2021