realpolitikasia: Australia reverses policy of ignoring Malaysia as an element in its defence - Reversal may (finally) lead to a better appreciation of Sabah's submarine base

by Ganesh Sahathevan

Australia has ignored Malaysia despite the importance of Sabah's submarine base

As reported by the Malay Mail and Bernama:

Division 5 commander, Maj Gen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman said 3,670 armed forces personnel were involved in the exercise, 2,850 from Malaysia, 690 from the US, and 130 from Australia.

He said that this year’s exercise involved troops from Australia even though Keris Strike started off as a bilateral annual exercise between Malaysia and the US, with two-way defence cooperation elements between the Malaysian Armed Forces and the US Army.

Australian High Commission in Malaysia Defence Attache Col Corey Shillabeer shared that the military relationship between Malaysia and Australia was very deep, and Keris Strike was important to deepen the long standing relationship while learning from each other.

“We are always more when we work together, we also have a lot to learn from our Malaysian friends. Sabah is a unique and difficult terrain to exercise in, and we learn more from working together,” he said.

Shillabeer also thanked Malaysia and the US for inviting them to join Keris Strike for the first time, and believed the exercise will benefit the three country involved especially in strengthening partnerships between the three armies.

This seems to be reversal of the Australian policy of ignoring Malaysia as part of its overall defence strategy. It is noted that the change coincides with Anwar Ibrahim (finally) assuming power. One hopes that the reversal may (finally) lead to a better appreciation of Sabah's submarine base.

TO BE READ WITH

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

China reaches into Malaysia,ASEAN to build defence ties while Australia ignores Mahathir's attempts to contain China-Is the Anwar obsession , Mahathir hatred,getting in the way?

by Ganesh Sahathevan
Australia has shown little interest in backing Mahathir as he pushes back against China,despite the Five Nation Defence Pact:
https://www.malaymail.com/s/1678646/china-free-to-move-but-no-battleships-in-south-china-sea-dr-m-says

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today brushed off China’s “sovereign claim” over a disputed chain of islands in the South China Sea, stating the country has the right to go “wherever they wanted to”. However Dr Mahathir further explained to British national broadcaster BBC that Malaysia’s policy is not to have battleships and warships in the South China Sea as tensions in the region will escalate into armed conflict and subsequently war if vessels are stationed in the area.

“I explained that China has the right to go wherever they want to go but please don’t check on ships or prevent ships on passing through the straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, that is all we want,” he told HARDtalk programme host Zeinab Badawi.

Meanwhile China is doing all it can to build a new defence pact with Malaysia, and other ASEAN countries:

RT Echinanews "#China and #ASEAN launch maritime drill in Zhanjiang. The joint drill is the first of its kind held between China and ASEAN countries. "