PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia takes a firm stance in defending international peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said this includes issues related to nuclear disarmament, nuclear non -proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

He said the stated stance was also discussed and agreed to by the Cabinet in its weekly meeting on Friday.

"I share the concern of the YAB Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) that the establishment of AUKUS (tripartite cooperation between Australia - United Kingdom - United States) will lead to an arms race in the region. 

"It also has the potential to spark tension between the world's major powers and exacerbate aggressive actions between the countries concerned in the region, particularly in the South China Sea.

"In this regard, I call on all relevant parties in the region to strengthen existing active cooperation in promoting and defending the region as a peaceful, stable, developing and prosperous region, as outlined under the Asean Outlook on Indo-Pacific, "he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement said the Prime Minister had voiced concern over the establishment of AUKUS and stressed Malaysia's stand that the cooperation would catalyse into a nuclear weapons race in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to the statement, AUKUS will provoke other powers to also act more aggressively in the region, especially in the South China Sea.

In the meantime, Saifuddin reiterated Ismail Sabri's statement urging all parties to respect and adhere to Malaysia's existing stand and approach under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and the Asean Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN).

"Recently I received a phone call from my counterpart from Australia, Senator Marise Payne and she briefed (Malaysia) on AUKUS and I agreed with her proposal on sending officers from Australia to Malaysia to provide further clarification and understanding on this matter, "he said.

AUKUS is a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, announced on Wednesday. Under the pact, the United States and United Kingdom agree to help Australia to develop and deploy nuclear-powered submarines, adding to the Western military presence in the Pacific region.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/09/728659/malaysia-firm-defending-international-peace-security-indo-pacific-region