“The South China Sea belongs to China,” Hew claimed. “Don’t oppose China just because you are anti-communist.”
Regrettably, as of today, no senior DAP leader has sought to officially distance the party from such hostile comments.
Always quick to denounce racists sentiments expressed by groups such as the Red Shirts, Perkasa and Isma, the DAP’s silence when its own members express similar sentiments is deafening.
Already, China is showing that it does not need much encouragement to extend its military presence in the South China Sea, thereby posing a very real threat to the peace and security of the region and to Malaysia. Hew’s uncalled for comments only serve to increase that threat.
His comment also shows utter contempt for the international justice system by challenging the jurisdiction, authority and decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). It can also be seen as encouraging China’s own apparent refusal to abide by the tribunal’s decision.
This does not bode well as Malaysia is a member state of the PCA, having acceded to its founding conventions in May 2002.
Hew’s comment also sends an unnecessarily hostile message to the Philippines, in whose favour the PCA rendered its decision in the dispute earlier this week.
In contrast, one only needs to look across the causeway to find a more measured response.
Despite its historical close ties with China, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said yesterday that Singapore will not take a position on territorial claims in the South China Sea, urging instead peaceful resolution of such disputes.
“UMNO/BN must be voted out of Putrajaya at least once if Malaysia is to become a normal democratic country and break the present national trajectory trending down the slippery slope towards a fractured, failed and rogue state,” Lim Kit Siang said in a statement barely three weeks ago.
Before entertaining such grandiose ideas of taking over the administration of the country, the DAP ought to school its members in diplomacy and rein in those who make unwarranted and provocative statements.
Rahim Zainuddin is an FMT reader.
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