Malaysia, too has not been spared from the DAESH threat. Over the last week, at least 6 individuals linked to DAESH were arrested. From 2013-2016, Malaysia has arrested some 250 individuals suspected of militant activity. It also pains me to say that Malaysians were also involved in the Marawi attacks. Many of the individuals involved were from seemingly good, even prosperous background or professions. This highlights the insidious nature of radicalization: we cannot generalize on who can turn into a lone-wolf. How do we meet such challenges? Is the solution political? Socio-economic? Theological? All this defies easy answers.
My second point is 2017 has witnessed the steady worsening of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. No one, certainly not Malaysians, could have foreseen that we would be directly impacted by it. The cruel assassination of Kim Jong-Nam, who everybody knows, reminds us Malaysians again that we were not insulated from the world and its troubles.
The problem is not exclusively due to the erratic, unpredictable nature of the Pyongyang regime. While President Moon Jae-in’s desire for negotiations with the North is highly laudable, the fact is that this has not stopped the North from conducting what seems to be almost weekly missile tests. The controversies over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system makes for a potentially combustible situation. Allow me to take this opportunity here to reiterate Malaysia’s call for restraint and dialogue in the Korean Peninsula: no one will benefit from conflict, especially when nuclear weapons are involved.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This leads me to my third point: the South China Sea dispute. While the progress made on the “framework” for a South China Sea Code of Conduct (CoC) between China and ASEAN is heartening, it is only prudent for our optimism to be guarded. The chance for a “black swan” event or unforeseen, unintended and accidental incidents at sea or in the air remain very great.
Undoubtedly, this is a complex issue and we must do whatever it takes, putting aside our egos, pride and anger in moving forward. Combative statements, whether from inside or outside the region are not helpful. This is critical as a small trigger can spark into something greater. Malaysia’s position is quite clear and will not shift: the South China Sea issue must be resolved peacefully and via multilateral platforms, especially a platform that involves direct stakeholders like ASEAN.
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