Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein does not see the country's tolerance in dealing with reported intrusions in its waters off the Sarawak coast as a weakness.

“It is the strength of the BN government that we are able to leverage and have diplomatic and military relations with the superpowers. Not many countries can do that. We have the support of both US and China.

"What has happened in the South China Sea is not a simple matter, everyone admits it is complex," he said at a press conference today.

He was asked if the government's 'friendly' attitude would affect BN in the coming Sarawak state election.

He, however, denied China vessels had intruded into Malaysian waters as reported recently.

However, he reiterated that the ministry will meet with China's ambassador Huang Huikang to discuss the matter.

Sarawakians were reportedly angry with the 'soft' attitude of federal and state governments which they felt were not firm enough against the reported intrusion of China’s coast guard vessels into Luconia Shoals off Miri.

“We are friends to everybody,” he said after delivering his 2016 message to the ministry.

BN's strength

Citing the search for the missing jet MH370 which had received the assistance of 26 countries, he asked, “If that is not the strength of BN, what is? Which of the opposition parties can do that?”

“Those people who are pointing fingers at us regarding geopolitical considerations, what are their alternatives? War with China or US?

“Enough of misery as seen in the Middle East. If there is a war, innocent bystanders will suffer and become refugees. We don't want that to happen to us,” he said.

Meanwhile, he rubbished criticism against the RM2.6 billion donation by a Saudi prince that it was an example of foreign intervention in Malaysian politics.

“It is better to get the facts first,” said the Umno vice-president, adding that he would not make any conclusions as investigations by local and foreign agencies have yet to be completed.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had said that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had returned RM2.03 billion of the RM2.6 billion to its original donor, said to be a son of the late Saudi king.

Hishammuddin also announced the promotion of 76,771 lower-ranked soldiers, who will receive higher salaries effective from July 1. The 19,436 soldiers who had retired since January 2013 will also benefit. This will cost the government an extra RM115.49 billion, he disclosed.

“When the economy is facing challenges, the biggest impact on the rakyat is the rising cost of living. Our soldiers are rakyat biasa (ordinary people) too,” he said, in explaining the rationale for the salary hike at a time when other government agencies were forced to slash their expenditure.