Malaysia Defence & Economy Forum

[Senang Diri]

Off-topic. Any comments on ICERD?
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/mala...mination-of-all-forms-of-racial-discr.588402/

I am not in favour of either side yet. The social contract is what the discussion entirely missed. Your inputs most welcome @UMNOPutra

 

[UMNOPutra]

Off-topic. Any comments on ICERD?
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/mala...mination-of-all-forms-of-racial-discr.588402/

I am not in favour of either side yet. The social contract is what the discussion entirely missed. Your inputs most welcome @UMNOPutra

There is an "inferiority disease" in the majority of Malays .. They still afraid that the ratification of ICERD can abolish their "special status" as the owner and landlord of Malaysia ...

Read this below ... there is an escalation of racial conflict among Malays, Chinese and Indian because of ICERD ...

https://www.malaysia-today.net/2018/11/28/and-the-divide-keeps-growing-in-malaysia/

 

[lcloo]

Off-topic. Any comments on ICERD?
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/mala...mination-of-all-forms-of-racial-discr.588402/

I am not in favour of either side yet. The social contract is what the discussion entirely missed. Your inputs most welcome @UMNOPutra

I don't think ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian Malaysians expected any changes to their status due to signing of ICERD, the Malays on the other hand seemed to be very afraid of losing their special bumiputra and Muslim rights if every citizens regardless of race and religion share equal rights.

And the opposition parties like PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party) and UMNO (United Malay National Organisation) found this an opportunity to incite Malays and Muslims to turn violence in order to regain the political supports that they lost during the recent general election in May this year.

The most provocative are statements by some extremist minded leaders said there will never be equal rights between Muslim Malays and Malaysians non-Muslims of ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indians and others.

 

[Senang Diri]

I don't think ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian Malaysians expected any changes to their status due to signing of ICERD, the Malays on the other hand seemed to be very afraid of losing their special bumiputra and Muslim rights if every citizens regardless of race and religion share equal rights.

And the opposition parties like PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party) and UMNO (United Malay National Organisation) found this an opportunity to incite Malays and Muslims to turn violence in order to regain the political supports that they lost during the recent general election in May this year.

The most provocative are statements by some extremist minded leaders said there will never be equal rights between Muslim Malays and Malaysians non-Muslims of ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indians and others.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Isn't it true that Chinese and Indians only gained citizenship because they acceded to Bumiputera privileges in Malaysia? If these privileges are taken away, does that mean Chinese and Indian citizenships should be repealed too?

 

[lcloo]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Isn't it true that Chinese and Indians only gained citizenship because they acceded to Bumiputera privileges in Malaysia? If these privileges are taken away, does that mean Chinese and Indian citizenships should be repealed too?

1) You are right that Malay rights were part of the deal in exchange for accepting non-Malays as citizens. Before independence, the Malays only want ethnic Malays as citizen while the Chinese and Indians want to be part of the new nation, so the British colonial government negotiated with all parties and came up with a clause in the constitution of Malaya giving Malays and Islam special rights. Only after this agreement had been reached (among other conditions) that British agreed to let Malaya become independence.

Your second question has never been mentioned openly among Malaysians because this situation will never happen, simply because if this happens, it will cause collapse of Malaysia.

Firstly, majority of people would not agree. Bumiputra constitute about 65% of Malaysia population, but not all bumiputra are Malay or Muslims, many Bumiputras in Borneo side of Malaysia are Christians or other non-Muslim faiths. Bumiputras of East Malaysia have different views on racial and religious matters as compare with Malays from Peninsular Malaysia. They would likely seriously considering pulling out of Malaysia.

Ethnic Malays constitute around 50% of total population. (When Singapore was part of Malaysia, Malays were actually less than 50% of population, which I think is part of the reason that Singapore was forced to separate).

And secondly the Chinese and Indians are very important contributors to Malaysia economy not only because of the size of their business holdings but also of their global business connection as Malaysia's economy is very much export oriented. And the largest export markets is China, Singapore is also on top of the list. If Chinese and Indians are denied citizenship, an unimaginable size of economy will just move o overseas.

 

[powastick]

1) You are right that Malay rights were part of the deal in exchange for accepting non-Malays as citizens. Before independence, the Malays only want ethnic Malays as citizen while the Chinese and Indians want to be part of the new nation, so the British colonial government negotiated with all parties and came up with a clause in the constitution of Malaya giving Malays and Islam special rights. Only after this agreement had been reached (among other conditions) that British agreed to let Malaya become independence.

Your second question has never been mentioned openly among Malaysians because this situation will never happen, simply because if this happens, it will cause collapse of Malaysia.

Firstly, majority of people would not agree. Bumiputra constitute about 65% of Malaysia population, but not all bumiputra are Malay or Muslims, many Bumiputras in Borneo side of Malaysia are Christians or other non-Muslim faiths. Bumiputras of East Malaysia have different views on racial and religious matters as compare with Malays from Peninsular Malaysia. They would likely seriously considering pulling out of Malaysia.

Ethnic Malays constitute around 50% of total population. (When Singapore was part of Malaysia, Malays were actually less than 50% of population, which I think is part of the reason that Singapore was forced to separate).

And secondly the Chinese and Indians are very important contributors to Malaysia economy not only because of the size of their business holdings but also of their global business connection as Malaysia's economy is very much export oriented. And the largest export markets is China, Singapore is also on top of the list. If Chinese and Indians are denied citizenship, an unimaginable size of economy will just move o overseas.

South Africa and Zimbabwe are doing it. Malaysia, hold my beer.

 

[UMNOPutra]

Malaysia And Singapore In Dispute Over Reclaimed Land
By MT Webmaster On Dec 5, 2018

(MMO) – Anthony Loke said today that the Johor Baru port alteration did not encroach into the territorial area of Singapore as alleged by the republic.

Loke said that Singapore’s claim that its borders had been extended through land reclamation was not valid in international law.

“Singapore has in recent years carried out extensive land reclamation in the area in question.

“It is trite law that land reclamation does not extend a state’s base points and/or baselines,” he said, after chairing the inaugural meeting of National Aviation Council here today.
Loke added that in accordance with international law, Singapore’s reclamation does not alter its territorial waters.

He added that the altered limits at the Johor port remained clearly in Malaysia’s sovereign territory.

The government was both entitled to alter these limits and took the necessary steps to announce the change via an official gazette, a Port Circular and Notice to Mariners, he said.

He then told Singapore to withdraw its conflicting circular dated Nov 30 and to refrain from sending its enforcement officers into Malaysian territory any further.

However, Loke offered to engage with Singapore for an amicable solution to the dispute.

 

[UMNOPutra]

CAP 55 Plan for RMAF Ready — Liew
06 Desember 2018


CAP 55 program of the RMAF (image : Osmint)

KUALA LUMPUR : The long-term development plan for the Royal Malaysian Air Force known as Capability Development 55 (CAP 55) is ready and will be submitted to the Defence Ministry before being brought to the Cabinet, said Deputy Defence Minister Senator Liew Chin Tong.

He said the 35-year plan covers procurement of assets and new systems apart from upgrading existing capability and systems to defend the nation.

“It utilises the cost benefit analysis methodology which takes into consideration factors like realistic planning, effectiveness and the nation’s financial situation.

“Apart from these, it also looks into the policy on the shelf-life of aircraft and focuses on reducing aircraft types to tackle the issue of outdatedness and increased cost of maintenance,” he said during the Question-and-Answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to a question from Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS-Kubang Kerian) who wanted to know what measures the Ministry was taking in addressing the issue of air assets that were more than 20 years old.

http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/cap-55-plan-rmaf-ready-—-liew

 

[polanski]

Malaysian navy outlines domestic shipbuilding target
Jon Grevatt - Jane's Defence Industry
07 December 2018

Malaysian shipyard Boustead has proposed a second batch of Kedah-class corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy in line with the service’s ‘15-to-5’ transformation plan. The first-in-class vessel, the OPV KD Terengganu, is pictured here. Source: US Navy/OS1 Claudia Franco
Key Points

• The Royal Malaysian Navy wants to support local capability development to ease the challenges of diversification
• However, near-term opportunities remain unlikely given Malaysia's continuing economic constraints

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has outlined a requirement to support the development of the country's naval shipbuilding sector as the service looks to modernise through its '15-to-5' transformation programme.

A document published by the RMN to mark the retirement of Admiral Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin as the navy's chief in late November called for a "strategic shift" in how it engages with the Malaysian naval shipbuilding industry in line with its future development, which is aimed at reducing its ageing fleets of 15 classes of vessels to five.

The document states, "As a major domestic shipbuilding customer, the government, through RMN's 15-to-5 transformation programme, can positively shape the direction of local shipbuilding industry. This can be achieved by transforming our naval shipbuilding and repair industry with a long-term, predictable, and continuous work order for local shipbuilders."

It adds, "[This] will not only ensure the delivery of capabilities required by the navy but will also result in lower costs of construction, a secure shipbuilding industrial future, and retainment of investments made on infrastructure as well as skilled manpower. Further, it has a spill-over benefit into other related industries and sectors."

The document goes on to outline the traditional maintenance, logistics, and training challenges that the RMN has faced due to Malaysia's policy of procuring from a variety of foreign suppliers. The RMN's existing 15 classes of ships were built in seven countries by several shipyards, it says.

 

[UMNOPutra]

ICERD has been turned into Malay versus Chinese – Malaysia Today

Today’s rally and the Chinese response to the rally is evidence that the Malay-Chinese racial divide is permanent and can never be repaired. In fact, the Malays and Chinese no longer filter or control their comments like in the past. Both sides of the divide are now very open and vocal about their hatred for each other.

NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin

https://malaysiaupdates.com/2018/12/...alaysia-today/

The Message Of 8 December Is There Are Two Malaysias, Not 1Malaysia

And the non-Malays-non-Muslims must stay on their side of the border and not stray into the Malay-Muslim side of the border. And if they forget themselves and do not stay on their side of the border the Malays are going to put them in their place — by force if necessary. That was what the 8th December 2018 anti-ICERD rally was all about — a warning shot across the bow and a reminder that the next shot will not be a warning.

NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin

https://www.malaysia-today.net/2018/...not-1malaysia/

 

[UMNOPutra]

Transport Ministry explains challenge to S'pore over Seletar Airport
Published: Today 10:34 am |

The Transport Ministry has produced a video explaining why it is opposing the new aircraft landing protocols at Singapore's Seletar Airport.

The issue stems from Seletar Airport's bid to implement an Instrument Landing System (ILS), which will enable planes to land safely even in poor visibility.

However, the flight path Singapore wants to use for the ILS is over Pasir Gudang, Johor.

As the airport is just 2km across the Johor Straits from Pasir Gudang, the ministry explained that this would negatively impact development in Pasir Gudang.

This is because the ILS requires a height buffer, which at 6km away from Seletar would be 145 metres.

This, in turn, means that development in Pasir Gudang, as well as activities at the local port, would be significantly hampered.

Singapore plans to implement the ILS at Seletar Airport on Jan 3 next year.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said this move went against the principles of national sovereignty, as provided for by the Convention of International Civil Aviation.

However, Singapore claimed that Malaysia had not previously raised objections on the matter.

Both sides have said they would publish tell-all official communiqué between the two sides regarding the ILS.

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/455788

 

[UMNOPutra]

Singapore files UNCLOS declaration amid maritime boundary dispute with Malaysia
Thu, Dec 13, 2018 - 1:34 PM

SINGAPORE has filed a declaration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to ensure that no signatory of the international treaty can unilaterally start third-party arbitration or adjudication on maritime boundary disputes involving the Republic.

Singapore said it believes such disputes are best settled through negotiations, failing which, it is prepared to take them to an international third party for settlement on terms that all sides agree to.

The Republic filed the declaration under Article 298(1)(a) of UNCLOS on Wednesday (Dec 12), in order for such recourse to international dispute settlement to be based on the mutual agreement of the parties, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman said on Thursday.

The declaration, lodged with the United Nations in New York, comes amid an ongoing maritime boundary dispute with Malaysia over Singapore territorial waters off Tuas.

On Oct 25, Kuala Lumpur unilaterally gazetted extended port limits for Johor Baru Port, which encroached into the Republic's territorial waters. While a section of those waters has yet to be delimited, Singapore agencies have been patrolling them for decades.

Singapore has responded by extending its own port limits, and insisting that Malaysia withdraw its government vessels and return to the pre-Oct 25 status quo, without prejudice to its claims.
businesstime.com

M’sia and S’pore to thrash out ILS dispute
Timothy Achariam /
13 Dec 2018 / 12:00 H.

SEPANG: Malaysian and Singaporean authorities will meet in January to thrash out the dispute over Singapore’s use of the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at its Seletar Airport, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.

The ILS has been a contentious issue and has put a strain on relations.

Loke, who was speaking at a press conference after launching the “Happy Guests, Caring Hosts” Service Culture Transformation Programme by Malaysia Airports, said he did not want to comment on the issue any further.

“Enough said about the issue, let the two sides meet as we have already decided to meet in Jan,” he said. “We have explained our side.”

Malaysia maintains that if Singapore goes on with the ILS, it would not only affect Pasir Gudang but also up north to Ayer Tawar and Kota Tinggi.

In a video Loke posted on his Facebook page, he explained why he was against the ILS.

He explained that as Seletar Airport is only 2km from Pasir Gudang, any planes landing at the airport will intrude into Malaysia’s airspace.

The height buffer from a distance of 3km and 6km from the Seletar Airport runway cannot be higher than 54m and 145m, respectively.

“Previously, Seletar Airport did not use ILS and pilots can manoeuvre around obstacles, hence no height regulation is required around the flight path area.

“But now, it is compulsory to impose height restrictions for ILS.”

https://redirect.viglink.com/?forma...- Page 397 - SkyscraperCity&txt=The Sun Daily

 

[UMNOPutra]

Scorpions To Be Retired


FV-101 Scorpions light tanks of the Malaysian Army (photo : Gempurwira)

SHAH ALAM: Scorpions to be retired. The Army has recommended that it’s fleet of Scorpion light tanks be retired due to the high cost of maintenance and obsolescence issues. Deputy Defence Minister Liew Chin Tong told Parliament on Dec. 18, 2018 that none of the Scorpions were no longer operational.

The recommendation to retire the Scorpions was made after the Army conducted a study on its armoured vehicles requirements for the long term. The Scorpions it seemed are not compatible with the Army’s plans, directions and further more being costly to maintain.

He said the Scorpion fleet entered service in 1981 and were placed in service with the Armoured Squadron of the 10th Para Brigade. The fleet had undergone a Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) and upgrades from 2007 to 2011 and the Army decided to continue the service of the vehicle until 2018.

Liew said none of the Scorpions are currently operational and the Army had decided to declare the vehicle obsolete. The ministry is expected to declare the status of the fleet next year.

http://www.malaysiandefence.com/scorpions-to-be-retired/

 

[UMNOPutra]

Interview: Independence-X, Malaysia’s NewSpace pioneer

Independence-X Aerospace is a company of industry professionals and academics based out of Technology Park Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur with the aim of transforming Malaysia into a space hub as well contributing to socio-economic development of the region through space-related technologies.

It began with the mission to involve the industrial, commercial and education communities in space-related programs, so that Malaysia could be self-reliant in space technology.

Independence-X has close to 400 registered members today, with about 50 active members consisting of engineers, scientists, developers, artists, PR and management professionals in a total of over 20 departments. In the technical departments, propulsion, orbital mechanics, electrical power systems, ADCS, and space comms are some of the most prominent disciplines the team members focus on.

The company was celebrated as the only Malaysian (and Southeast Asian) team out of 16 teams worldwide participating in the Google Lunar XPRIZE (GLXP), and while the XPRIZE went unclaimed before being relaunched, Independence-X is still very much focused on its foundational goals.

We talk to Izmir Yamin, CEO of Independence-X (IDXA), on the activities of his company and the space landscape in Asia and Malaysia.

What are you currently working on at the moment?

We are currently working on our launch vehicle known as the DNLV (Dedicated Nano Launch Vehicle), which was endorsed by NASA in 2015. In parallel, we are also working on our miniaturized spacecraft for the moon mission.

Maximum Payload: 200kg, Destination Orbit: 500km LEO, Price per launch: US$ 4.5 million.

The DNLV has 10 levels or steps to be able to reach orbit for commercial services. As we are currently on the fourth level, where the rocket is named Independence-3A and designed to fly to the Stratosphere. It is on target for a 2023 commercial flight.

http://www.spacetechasia.com/interview-independence-x-malaysias-newspace-pioneer/

 

[UMNOPutra]

New provocation from Singapore ..and Malaysia do nothing ...

Apache Prowler
Posted on December 28, 2018by hafizuddinsulaiman

Many might have missed a footage by TV3 during the coronation ceremony of His Majesty the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on March 23, 2015 where a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopter was caught shadowing a chartered news helicopter which was tasked to provide aerial coverage of the Sultan’s motorcade along the Straits of Tebrau facing Singapore.

When a Malaysian Marine Department’s vessel MV Polaris sit firm at its location near the maritime boundary of Singapore, another Apache was seen ‘keeping’ an eye on the Malaysian vessel.



Unknown to many, the RSAF has been employing its 12 Apaches based at Sembawang Airbase as part of Air Defence Task Force established by the city state in 2010. As one article written by Mike Yeo and published in Defence News described the Task Force,

as part of the Singapore military’s high-readiness core to monitor its skies as well as respond swiftly and decisively against potential air threats day and night. It leverages cross-domain and cross-function capabilities, such as the Air Force’s suite of sensors, flying platforms and ground-based air defense systems within a networked, integrated air defense system that operates around the clock.

The article further explains,

The decision to utilize the Apache in such a role was driven in part by the advantages that the slower Apache has at certain flight regimes, namely against “low and slow” targets such as light aircraft or UAVs; fast jet interceptors may have difficulty keeping station and maintaining visual contact.

Should the need arise, targets can be engaged with the Apache’s Orbital ATK M230 Chain Gun. The Apache crew declined to confirm if aerial targets could be detected and cued with the Lockheed Martin-Northrop Grumman AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radar, although the radar product card says that it is able to search, detect, locate, classify and prioritize “multiple moving and stationary targets on land, air, and water in all weather and battlefield conditions.”

Situation could escalate to the worse had the Malaysians decided to send its AgustaWestland A109LUH helicopter to shadow the Singaporean aircraft. Operated by the Malaysian Army’s No 881 Skn out of Kluang Army Airfield just few minutes flight upnorth, the Agusta is equipped with M134 Gatling gun. Unfortunately with ‘soft skin’ and door mounted gun, it is no match for the Singaporean Apache.

Clearly, the Malaysian Army is in great need for a full fledged attack helicopter not only to support its armoured units but also to provide air policing along the Straits of Johor. It is not like the Malaysians did not have any offer for attack helicopters. As early as 2013, the Malaysians have been offered Airbus Helicopters Tiger HAP attack helicopter at very attractive package. Instead, the MD-530G was selected and six of these have yet to arrive in Malaysian shores despite orders being made since 2016.

The Apache incident was nothing new in Malaysia-Singapore maritime row that previously include claims by both country on Pedra Branca islet. An image of RSAF AS-332 Super Puma helicopter was captured by a Malaysian news entourage in 2002 on-board a Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) patrol boat while sailing near the islet. A decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague in 2008 gave the sovereign right of Pedra Branca to Singapore.