KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to apologise to Malaysians and retract his statement that China is Malaysia’s “elder brother”.
In a Facebook post today, the PKR president pointed out that it is odd for Hishammuddin to consider the superpower as Malaysia’s “big brother”.
“This is not the language that should be used in the diplomatic world and for international relations because it puts Malaysia as a puppet state for foreign powers.
“As a non-aligned nation which is neutral towards any superpowers in the world, his statement is an insult to our own nation.
“The foreign minister must quickly apologise to Malaysians and retract his tasteless statement,” said Anwar, who served as deputy prime minister from 1993 to 1998.
Hishammuddin had made the controversial statement during a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Fujian, China on Thursday.
“You will always be my elder brother, through friendship between Malaysia and China which truly encapsulates the phrase which I always described between Malaysia and China – you will always be my elder brother,” said Hishammuddin, before following it up with a giggle.
Responding to criticisms on the matter, Hishammuddin claimed on Twitter late this afternoon that he was not referring to the two countries’ bilateral relations in making the remark.
“Respecting that Wang Yi is older, and a more senior Foreign Minister; hence ‘elder brother’ to me personally. Being respectful does not signify weakness,” he said.
“Rest assured that Malaysia remains independent, principled and pragmatic in terms of our foreign policy – founded on the values of peace, humanity, justice, and equality. We will continue to contribute meaningfully towards a just and equitable community of nations.”
Earlier, a trio of academics – Muhammad Ariff Mohamad Nizam, an international studies alumnus of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; Ahmad Muziru Idham Adnan of the Strategic Studies & International Relations Researcher Group (Strategik); and Fakhrurrazi Rashid, research coordinator at Research for Social Advancement (Refsa) – had issued a joint statement demanding Wisma Putra’s explanation over Hishammuddin’s blunder.
They said that Hishammuddin’s remark sends a huge signal about Malaysia’s diplomatic ties to other superpowers.
“If China is considered to be an ‘elder brother’, then it gives a big signal about our diplomatic ties to other superpowers and other countries in the region from a diplomatic relations’ perspective,” they said.
“It will also raise questions towards Malaysia’s foreign policies with other countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United States of America.
“The use of such terms is inappropriate in steering Malaysia’s foreign policy. Our non-alignment stance and role as a middle power must be consistent in prioritising the nation’s interest,” said the trio.
They added that the phrase can be construed as China is watching over and protecting Malaysia, while Malaysia is caving in and bowing to China. They pointed out that both nations have disagreements over issues of sovereignty.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) tribunal on July 12, 2016 had decided that China’s claim of historic rights over the maritime areas – as opposed to land territories and territorial waters – inside the “nine-dash line” has no lawful effect if it exceeds what is entitled to under the UNCLOS.
However, China has blatantly ignored this decision and continued to force their presence through naval vessels. There have also been reports of Chinese military vessels allegedly threatening fishermen of Asean countries from operating in territorial waters that rightfully belong to them. – The Vibes, April 3, 2021
