Rising China - challenge or opportunity? (Part 4)

Why does former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad 'love' China so much? Why is he also 'loved' by China particularly? Tan Kai Hee, secretary of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, reveals the reasons.


Question: Malaysia, although still a member of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), has many traditional security and military ties with the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Would these ties pose obstacles to closer relations between Malaysia and China?

I don't think it is an obstacle or problem. These traditional or historical ties, like the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), were first made long time ago. FPDA, for example, is only consultative and it served as a psychological assurance that members would not be aggressive towards one another and that others would also not dare to be so. China does not see these ties as threats.

China also knows that these ties were not intentionally formed to target at it. China respects Malaysia's history and tradition.

Moreover, Malaysia has repeatedly emphasised that it values independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and that it does not seek any offensive military alliance. Again, there is no problem for China if these ties only serve as channels for consultation and communication, or even framework for joint military training and exercises.

Recently, China supported Malaysia and Indonesia to reject Singapore's proposal to have the US Special Forces to help combat pirates and potential maritime terrorists in the Straits of Malacca. Does this mean that there are now two camps on the question of the security of navigation in the Straits of Malacca?

The recent controversy over the Straits of Malacca is indicative of the US intention to control all the major sea lanes and traffic.This is its global strategy that may be needed in its war against terror. However, the proposal, if accepted, is also an infringement of the territorial sovereignty of Malaysia and Indonesia.

It is Singapore who invited US to do so. As a matter of fact, Singapore naval ports have long been opened for operational use by the US Navy and its warships which may carry nuclear weapons.

Usually, China kept quiet. This time, China declares its opposition because of the seriousness of the proposal. True, Singapore may have its long-standing anxiety about being surrounded in the Malay Archipelago and, like Taiwan, it needs American power to be a protective force.

But I must also say Singapore's proposal (to invite US Special Forces to patrol the Straits of Malacca) is a stupid one. If the situation gets out of control, Singapore may become another Israel. Singapore is inviting trouble. It should befriend its immediate neighbours, manage relations well and help everybody to develop economically. Only by doing that could Singapore's question of survival be settled.

Singapore must appreciate the wisdom of good neighbourliness. Anti-American terrorists are now everywhere, including in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and even Malaysia and the US may not be able to spare any capacity to protect or save Singapore if situations become serious.

From a Malaysian perspective, whatever our race or religion, we must uphold our national sovereignty and reject the proposal.

As for China, it has its own reason to oppose to the proposal. For about 70 percent of China's (and Japan's) imported oil from the Middle East is transported through the Straits of Malacca. Oil is called in every country, including China, strategic material whose supply must never be interrupted.

From this vantage point, it is not to the interest of China to allow the Straits of Malacca to be monopolised.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is often seen in both Malaysia and China as an active and passionate promoter of Malaysia-China relations. Why was he so keen?

It is a puzzle. His character is such that he likes to be critical of the shortcomings of other countries. Why is China an exception to him?

May be it has to do with his injured self-esteem. It has been damaged by the ways Western countries and leaders treat him. So, he may have adopted the 'enemy of my enemy is my friend'
strategy. In this situation, he likes to be appreciated and praised.

Because many of the things he has been saying publicly also reflect China's unspoken views, China naturally expresses its appreciation and praises for him. Certainly, he feels that China is his true friend. He feels that only a true hero appreciates another true hero.

Also, the question of palm oil is crucial for the understanding of Malaysia-China relations under Mahathir's administration. When the US claimed that palm oil could cause cancer, it was China which rejected the claim and purchased a huge amount from Malaysia. China was therefore seen as a friend indeed because it was a friend in need.

Palm oil is politically critical to Malaysia. If the price of palm oil drops as the result of under-demand, then the income and wealth of thousands of Felda settlers would be adversely affected. If that happens, the regime security of Umno may also be threatened because the majority of Felda settlers are Malays/Muslims.

Mahathir's proposal for the establishment of the East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) is another point. The United States, Australia and even Japan rejected it, but not China. China supports it, although not very strongly.

In my opinion, these are the main factors that caused Mahathir to be so inclined to promote Malaysia-China relations.

It must also be pointed out that Mahathir is a rather isolated person because of his outspokenness. However, as a big country, China always wants to avoid making unnecessary enemies because its main agenda is economic development. Many a time, China feels angry about certain international issues but it prefers not to speak up. So, when Mahathir speaks up, China is certainly very happy and appreciative of him.


[Part 5 to follow]