AUKUS might lead to an Asia regional arms race, according to Malaysia and Indonesia

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Despite the fact that nuclear weapons were not part of the proposal, Malaysia and Indonesia have expressed considerable reservations about Australia's decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

 

Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, said the two South-East Asian nations were equally concerned about the repercussions of AUKUS, a trilateral security treaty signed last month by Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

 

"We agree on the most recent concern in the region, which is a country near our territory that is buying new nuclear-powered submarines," Mr Saifuddin said after meeting with his counterpart Retno Marsudi at a joint news conference.

 

"We are alarmed and concerned, even though that country does not have nuclear weapons capability."

 

Last month, Indonesia expressed fear that AUKUS could lead to a regional weapons race.

The agreement comes as tensions rise in the East and South China Seas, which carry trillions of dollars in shipping and account for roughly a third of world trade.

 

The Philippines, a US defence treaty ally, has embraced AUKUS, arguing that it provides a crucial counterbalance to China's growing assertiveness.

Malaysia had earlier stated that it will seek China's and the ASEAN's perspectives on the matter (ASEAN).

 

The Myanmar junta's lack of progress in executing an ASEAN-agreed peace plan also disappointed the Indonesian and Malaysian ministers.

In an extraordinary snub, ASEAN voted on Friday to exclude junta head Min Aung Hlaing, who conducted a February 1 coup, from an upcoming regional gathering.