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Saturday 31 May 2003 Malaysia Rejects U.S. Military Bases Source: Associated Press Malaysia would not allow the United States to establish military bases within its borders but the Southeast Asian country was open to other forms of defence cooperation with Washington, a news report said. US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said the United States would reorganise its forces worldwide to confront the threat of terrorism. The Los Angeles Times newspaper reported on Thursday that the Pentagon was considering building new bases in Singapore, Australia and Malaysia. Malaysian Defence Minister Najib Razak said allowing US military bases in Malaysia may lead to questions about the country's sovereignty and defence capabilities. "This is a matter of pride and sovereignty ... and there is no need to for such suggestions to be considered as we have an able and capable defence force," The New Straits Times quoted Najib as saying. "We will not agree to this ... but it does not mean we cannot further develop bilateral defence relations outside this ambit." He said the government was willing to consider enhancing military training exercises with the United States. Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, has been a key ally in the US-led global fight against terrorism but strongly criticised Washington and its allies for invading Iraq. Print this article |
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