US warships in Penang spark calls for govt to clarify Malaysia's neutrality

The docking of two United States Navy warships in Penang has drawn sharp criticism from both the opposition and a former PKR MP, who are pressing Putrajaya to explain how the move squares with Malaysia’s long-standing policy of neutrality and non-alignment.

In a statement today, Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said that the presence of these assets in national waters raises the question of whether Malaysia is facilitating or is indirectly involved in military operations connected to conflicts between foreign powers.

“This situation carries the potential to give rise to perceptions that are at variance with Malaysia’s non-aligned stance, and in so doing, to erode public confidence and the nation’s standing at the international level.

“In this regard, PN urges the government to furnish a comprehensive and transparent explanation concerning the presence, purpose, and status of the said assets, including whether they are in transit to or from operational assignments in areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, and how this accords with the nation’s policy of neutrality.

“Malaysia’s credibility rests greatly upon the consistency between the principles it professes and their actual implementation on the ground,” said Takiyuddin, who is also PAS secretary-general.

Yesterday, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said the two US littoral combat ships that docked in Penang complied with Malaysian procedures.

The New Straits Times reported him saying that all naval vessels worldwide routinely make port calls before continuing to their destinations.

“These stops allow for logistical arrangements such as replenishments. Any foreign naval vessel must submit a request through its country to the navy, which forwards it to the Foreign Ministry for approval,” Khaled was quoted as saying.

Last weekend, photographs that spread rapidly across social media showed the two warships berthed at the North Butterworth Container Terminal.

According to the NST, the vessels, which are fitted out for minesweeping operations and most recently forward-deployed in West Asia, were sent to Bahrain within the past year as replacements for the now-decommissioned Avenger-class minehunters.

Penang Port Commission chairperson Yeoh Soon Hin was quoted as confirming that the warships docked at the port on March 14 before departing two days later.

‘Bar vessels involved in military operations’

Former PKR vice-president Tian Chua also echoed similar concerns to Takiyuddin.

In a statement to Malaysiakini, the former Batu MP went a step further, calling on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to direct all local ports to refuse entry to military vessels.

He noted that whilst Malaysian ports had previously received vessels from various nations and rendered the necessary services, no military confrontation existed at the time.

“With the current situation, when the US is conducting an illegal war against a country friendly to Malaysia, we must take precautions not to be partial to their unlawful action.

“The Parliament passed a motion to condemn the aggression. It is inexcusable that our port services received two combat ships coming from the Persian Gulf, both having been part of American military operations against Iran. 

“As we have repeatedly declared our neutrality, by no means we should allow ships with military missions to use our ports. This should apply to all military fleets, no matter whether they are from the US, Australia, China, or Russia,” Chua added.

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