The USS Enterprise , a American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, acknowledged as the largest and perhaps wielding the most destructive and devastating capability of any floating vessel in the world, is currently visiting our Malaysian shores.

This comes close on the heels of the recent visit of another equally deadly vessel, the USS Ronald Reagan . Pilots assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan had flown almost 3,000 missions around the Gulf after the warship ported here, yet we continue to allow these nuclear ships to make passage in our waters.

Malaysia, as an independent and sovereign country clearly committed to ensuring a nuclear-free zone in Asean as set out in the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) treaty, cannot compromise its stand on this most crucial issue. It is with deep regret that we at the Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO) must register our utmost objection to this rather new advent which now seems to signal a new trend in our country's foreign policy.

This matter should be viewed even more seriously, given the unbridled aggressive postures and unrestrained military assaults and invasions perpetrated by the foremost nuclear powers led by the US, Britain and Israel. It also signals the immoral premise that 'might is right', which then ironically validates the legitimate right of others to also seek their own nuclear capability for the sake of defence of their sovereignty.

The PGPO hopes that the visit of the USS Enterprise does not signal a change in Malaysian policy in ensuring Asean remains an anti-nuclear zone. The PGPO also urges that Malaysia as chairman of OIC and NAM, must remain resolute in not compromising on the fundamental right of all nations to live in peace, while respecting that every nation has a right to prosper and be legitimately safeguarded in their sovereign territories.

The absolute commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons should be upheld. We must make our stand uncompromisingly visible by words and deeds. Thus, such misplaced acts of hospitality to ships of war ready to annihilate mankind must be strenuously discouraged and halted.

The writer is executive director, Perdana Global Peace Organisation.