Malaysia\'s Perspective and Options
Transcript of Malaysia\'s Perspective and Options
Recent Developments in the South China Sea: A Malaysian Perspective and
Options
Mohd Nizam Basiron
MIMA Conference on the
South China Sea
12 & 13 December 2011
Outline
• Introduction
• Malaysia and the South China Sea
• Perspective on recent developments
• Options
• Conclusions
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Introduction
Malaysia and the South China Sea
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Year (Month) Features Activity
1978 (-) Amboyna Kecil Malaysian navy special forces landed on the features
and placed markers. The marker on Amboyna Kecil
was subsequently destroyed by Vietnam who now
occupies the feature[1].
1983 (May) Pulau Layang-Layang Malaysian navy special forces landed on Layang-
Layang[2].
1986 (April) Pulau Layang-Layang Naval station “Lima” constructed on Layang-
Layang[3].
1986 (April) Terumbu Ubi Naval station “Uniform” constructed on Ubi[4].
1986 (November) Terumbu Mantanani Naval station “Mike” constructed on Mantanani[5].
1991 (-) Pulau Layang-Layang Resort constructed on Pulau Layang-Layang[6]
1992 (May) Pulau Layang-Layang The then Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia Sultan
Azlan Shah visited Layang-Layang[7]
1999 (April) Terumbu Siput Naval station “Sierra” constructed on Siput[8]
1999 (April) Terumbu Peninjau Naval Station “Papa” constructed on Peninjau[9]
2004 (July) Pulau Layang-Layang Marine Research Station, Pulau Layang-Layang
(MARSAL) opened.[1] Dzurek, D.J. (1996) The Spratly Islands dispute: Who’s on first? Maritime Briefing. 2(1). Durham: International Boundaries Research Unit.[2] Ibid.[3] Ibid; Policy Division, Ministry of Defence Malaysia. Personal communications.[4] Policy Division, Ministry of Defence Malaysia. Personal communications.[5] Dzurek and Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence differ on the actual date of the construction of naval stations “Mike”. [6] Prescott, J.R.V. (2010). The Spratly Islands: past and present. MIMA Bulletin, 17(1). 14 - 18[7] King, Queen visited Layang-Layang. (May 23, 1992). The New Straits Times.[
Perspective on recent developments
Perspective on recent developments
- ve developments
• confrontations
• rhetoric
• media sabre-rattling
• arms acquisition
• troop and proposed vessel deployment
+ ve developments
• adoption of guidelines on implementation of DOC
• progress on code of conduct
• upcoming workshop on safety of navigation
• offer of maritime cooperation fund
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+ ve developments
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• adoption of guidelines on implementation of DOC
• progress on code of conduct
• upcoming workshop on safety of navigation
• offer of maritime cooperation fund
+ ve developments
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• adoption of guidelines on implementation of DOC
- nine years in the making
- still an important agreement
- provides basis for implementing activities under the DOC
- upcoming workshop on safety of navigation in Haikou
- what next?
+ ve developments
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• progress on code of conduct
- a draft by July 2012?
- important to start with fundamentals
- pertinent questions
- essential elements:
1. underlying principles
2. aims and objectives
3. scope and application
Code of Conduct: pertinent questions
• Would the code of conduct change the status quo in the South China Sea as espoused by the DOC or merely reinforce it?
• How would the code of conduct advance cooperation in the areas identified in the DOC?
• What mechanism would be established to ensure that the code is implemented or enforced
• Should the code of conduct have a defined geographical area or should it just regulate activities throughout the whole of the South China Sea?
• Would the code of conduct also deal with contentious issues such as the conduct of military activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
• Given that there are also external parties interested in the South China Sea, should the code of conduct govern their activities as well?
• If so what would be the role and contribution of extra regional powers?
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+ ve developments
“expand practical maritime cooperation. China will establish a China-ASEAN maritime cooperation fund and promote cooperation in marine research and environmental protection, connectivity, navigation safety, search and rescue, and combating transnational crimes”
http://www.gov.cn/english/201111/18/content_1997353.h
• When?• How?• Who?
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Options: Should we stop at DOC activities?
• Explore other areas of cooperation:
- renewable energy?
- private-private initiatives?
- information exchange?
- trade and shipping facilitation?
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Conclusions
• South China Sea important for regional stability
• Unites and divides the region
• Positive and negative developments recently
• Questions remain on positive development
• Region should also consider other options for cooperation and alleviation of dispute
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Thank You