“HAS the Foreign Ministry been consulted first? Is this the decision of the Defence Ministry? Why are they given such warm and lively welcome? Why are they permitted to visit school? Why is that school chosen?”
Such was the question posed to both the DAP-ruled Penang state government in particular and the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led Federal government in general by Bersatu Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah with regard to the so-called goodwill visit by two Chinese navy vessels to Penang recently.
For context, criticism was levelled on social media at the friendly stop-over by the training ship Qi Jiguang and the amphibious dock landing ship JinggangShan from Zhanjiang after a visit by the crew members to the Chung Ling (Private) Middle School went viral on several social media platforms including TikTok.
“The government ought to be sensitive to the feeling of the people at a time of invasion by Chinese assets in our waters near Sabah and Sarawak,” fumed the former foreign minister under the short-lived Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration.
Mengapa sambut meriah kapal tentera laut China? pic.twitter.com/9ot7iJC4au
— Saifuddin Abdullah 🇲🇾 (@saifuddinabd) October 9, 2024
“This included the protest by PETRONAS over detection of Chinese coast guard vessels near its Kasawari gas development project which lies within Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.”
Added the Bersatu International Bureau chairman: “The government has also yet to find a complete solution to the Chinese citizen exodus into the country which has for most part gone undetected. This is very closely connected to our security, sovereignty and self-identity.”
The Penang state government has meanwhile clarified that the friendly visit by both navy ships with over 1,000 personnel, including students from the Naval University of China to the Port of Penang on Saturday (Oct 5) was done through official channels.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the Resident Officer of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) in Penang was also present during the visit by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) trainee ships with leaders from the state government as guests.
“The two ships were here for three days and have since departed for Chittagong, Bangladesh,” the Paya Terubong state assemblyman told mainstream daily New Straits Times.
“It is just a friendly stop-over as the ships are heading to Indian Ocean. As such, the people need not be overly worried about this goodwill visit.”
For the record, PAS, too, would not miss a golden opportunity to take a swipe at the Madani government with its Penang information chief Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan wondering if “this is a charade to deceive Penangites”.
“Penang PAS views this matter seriously because it involves the sovereignty of Malaysia,” he berated in a Facebook statement.
“Therefore, Penang PAS wants an immediate, thorough and accurate explanation from the Malaysian government, the National Security Council and the parties responsible for the visit by the Chinese Navy ship in Penang.’
Added the Permatang Pauh MP: “Do not let the sovereignty of our country be easily invaded or ignored by irresponsible parties.” – Oct 10, 2024
Main image credit: The Star
