Opposition MPs question Chinese Navy's Penang visit

Analysts suggest issue may have been raised to put ethnic Chinese minority on defensive

- Harith Mustaffa

A stopover by two Chinese Navy vessels in Penang has sparked an uproar from members of Malaysia's opposition, amid ongoing bilateral tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea over contested maritime claims.

The opposition questioned whether proper protocols from the defence and foreign ministries regarding visits by foreign navies had been cast aside, and if Malaysia's sovereignty had been compromised by accommodating the sailors from China.

Malaysia and China have competing claims over the waters near Sabah and Sarawak.

"Was the foreign ministry consulted beforehand? Was this a decision by the defence ministry?" asked opposition Member of Parliament Saifuddin Abdullah, a former foreign minister, in a statement on Oct 10.

Also weighing in was opposition MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, who said on Oct 9: "Don't let our nation's sovereignty become so easily intruded and ignored by parties who are irresponsible."

Two Malaysian Cabinet ministers responded that the government was aware of the goodwill visit.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil, in response to questions from the media, told reporters on Oct 10 that such visits are undertaken with the knowledge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.