Jakarta-Sana
Malaysia and Indonesia have expressed grave concern over Australia's supply of nuclear-powered submarines, stressing that this step will fuel competition between major powers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Last month, the United States, Britain and Australia announced the formation of a "security alliance" called "Ocos", under which Australia would receive American assistance in the manufacture of eight nuclear-powered submarines.
Experts believe that this deal will cause a reconfiguration of relations in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The Associated Press quoted Indonesian Foreign Minister Rento Marsudi as saying today at a joint press conference with her Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah in Jakarta, "This situation will not benefit anyone... We both agree that efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region must continue and not We want the latest developments to cause tension, an arms race and a show of force."
During the conference, the two ministers expressed their determination to strengthen and strengthen the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and urged all members of the Association to contribute to the stability, security and peace of the region and respect for international law.
On the other hand, Seif El-Din emphasized that the presence of a neighboring country that manufactures nuclear-powered submarines could tempt other major countries and powers to come more frequently to the lands of Southeast Asia.
In addition to Malaysia and Indonesia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations includes Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.