Australia’s Submarine Move: Malaysia & Indonesia Scream “What’s Cooking?”
Yesterday, the foreign ministers from Malaysia and Indonesia took a stand on Australia’s newest fancy—nuclear‑powered submarines that come under the latest Aukus tripe‑pact with the U.S. and Britain. Even though the submarines are not armed with nuclear bombs, the two Southeast Asian allies are still shaking their heads.
Aukus: A New Ocean Crew
- Australia, the U.S. and Britain signed the Aukus treaty last month. It’s all about advanced submarines that run on nuclear power.
- Malaysia’s foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, told a joint press conference that the move “doesn’t involve nukes, but it feels like a big cat in a tiny zoo.”
- Retno Marsudi from Indonesia echoed the sentiment, warning that the pact could spark a parallel “arms race” across the Spice Islands.
Why It Matters in the Strait of Malacca
With the East and South China Seas acting as the global highway for a third of worldwide trade—think trillions of dollars in shiploads—any military upgrade feels like a headline that could set off a chain reaction. Pakistan’s sending them into the water will keep the trade lanes safer, but only if the regional players stay on the same page.
Who’s Hefting the Load?
- The Philippines, a U.S. defence ally, is cheering the Aukus plan as a counterbalance to China’s growing gusto.
- Malaysia plans to consult with China and ASEAN for a wider regional picture.
Myanmar’s Politico Puzzle
Both ministers also threw shade at Myanmar’s junta for slowing down an agreed peace plan. They’re said to be disappointed that the military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, remained out of the upcoming ASEAN meeting—talk of a “no‑favors” approach that’s new for the bloc.
- Despite the political snub, Indonesia’s Retno Marsudi stressed that ASEAN’s humanitarian help to Myanmar will keep going.
Beyond Borders: A Travel Corridor & Sea Ties
In some uplifting news, the two ministers chatted about starting a “travel corridor” between Indonesia and Malaysia—a breezy solution for people moving between islands. They’re also working to finalize maritime borders in the southern Malacca Strait and the Sulawesi Sea.
Bottom line: Why do the big kid countries care about a nuclear submarine that isn’t a nukes? It’s all about trust, exploration, and keeping the region’s trade vessels smooth. The conversation isn’t just about steel and radar; it’s about shining a light on who’s playing by the rules—and who’s just steering the ship too fast. (That’s the headline, folks.)
