Malaysia needs to be ready for the worst in South China Sea - foreign minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Malaysia needs to boost its
naval capabilities to prepare for possible conflict in the South
China Sea, its foreign minister said on Thursday, even as
Southeast Asia's third-largest economy pursues
non-militarisation of the disputed waterway.
Tensions have escalated in recent weeks, especially after a
U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China last
month as a challenge to what the U.S. Navy described as
excessive Chinese territorial claims in the region. Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said Malaysia could
issue protest notes if a major power were to encroach on its
territory but the lack of naval and maritime enforcement assets
left it at a disadvantage in the event of a conflict.
Saifuddin said Malaysia's naval assets would struggle to
even match up to the Chinese Coast Guard, which he said has a
near 24-hour presence around the South Luconia Shoals off the
east Malaysian state of Sarawak.
"Our naval ships under the Royal Malaysian Navy are smaller
than the Coast Guard vessels from China," Saifuddin told
parliament during question time.
"We would not want (conflict) to happen, but our assets ...
need be upgraded so we are able to better manage our waters
should there be a conflict between major powers in the South
China Sea," he said.
China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more
than $3.4 trillion worth of goods are transported annually,
under its unilaterally declared "nine-dash-line". However, it
overlaps with territorial claims made by Malaysia, Vietnam, the
Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan.
Beijing blames the United States for increasing tensions by
sending warships and military planes close to islands claimed by
China.
Malaysia had been critical of China's South China Sea
position but has been less outspoken recently, especially after
China pumped billions of dollars into infrastructure projects
under its Belt and Road Initiative.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has also said Malaysia was
too small to stand up to the Asian powerhouse, even as Chinese
ships surveyed its waters for oil and gas without permission.
Saifuddin said Malaysia would continue to push its position
on non-militarisation of the South China Sea, and for the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take a united
approach in dealing with China and the United States.
"The South China Sea should not become a point of conflict
among countries. We are consistent on that at international fora
such as ASEAN, where we raise the concept of self-restraint and
non-militarisation in the South China Sea," he said.