Dear everyone who have posted on this forum,
First of all let me just declare that im a Malaysian (and Malay) so
that people would know where my views are coming from.
I am not here to pick a fight with any of you but just to present
my opinion on what have been posted on this particular forum.
First of all, relations between Singapore and Malaysia will
continue to have turbulent moments for quite sometime due to our
history. We used to be one country which later acrimoniously broke
up. But just remember this: There will always be politicians who
will talk nonsense (usually from our side) and those that are more
than happy to capitalise on the turbulence between Malaysia and
Singapore (to some extent I think both sides are guilty of this).
But thats all to it. No one gets physically hurt. Period.
Anyway, to some extent, Malaysians nowadays are less succeptible to
manipulation by politicians from the gov. after Anwar's case (but
they could still be manipulated by those from the opposition i
think).
Now regarding any potential conflict btween Malaysia and
Singapore.
I think it is clear from Malaysian defence spending pattern (how
much we spend overall and what we buy), our training (minimal joint
arms, fibua and amphib)and our dispositions (units scattered all
over the country in peace time formation, armour forces on all
approaches to KL rather than bunched in Johore) we do not intent to
ever use force on Singapore. And I think Singapore leaders (mil and
gov) know about this too.
SAF capabilities are known to everyone in the region. We never
tried to fully match SAF capabilities but only try counter them in
a limited manner (i.e. limited number new long range arti , sams,
atgw ) even when SAF clearly develops offensive capabilities to be
directed against Malaysia (i.e. Combined arms divisions, Heliborne
trained inf, Amphib trained inf, long range Arty, New LSTs, Attack
Helicopters). These are capabilities designed to rapidly attack
& destroy our forces and hold land without prior warning.
I understand from your defence doctrine that these are essential
capabilities but I think the quantity of assets and training SAF
have has crossed the line between having a deterrent force (If you
attack me you will suffer) to a threatening force(I will and can
attack you any time). It is also becoming more and more
provocative.
From looking at our purchase of naval and aviation assets, it is
clear in my opinion that our threat orientation is towards the
Spratly Island and dealing with LIC.
We bought frigates with close in AD weapons and fast corvettes
(second hand by the way) simply because our navy is hard pressed to
maintain a credible detterent force in the Spratly area. We rushed
into buying some of these assets and were very annoyed when they
were delivered late as we (i.e. our navy commandos)were very
exposed in the Spratlys.
It could also be noted that the new Naval base for the proposed Sub
Force will be in Sabah, East Malaysia.
Our navy simply do not have the resources to put a strong and
credible blockade without exposing our territory. We just have
short of enough vessels (to illustrate, during the Sipadan crisis,
our assets were streched really thin).
As for our fighters, our principal strike fighters (the
FA-1
is geared towards Maritime Strike with the MIG-29s
providing air cover. The Migs were purposely modified recently to
allow them to provide sufficient air coverage over the South China
Sea.
The unprotected bases such as Lumut Naval Base, Kuantan AF &
Naval base and Butterworth AF base are clearly signs to Singapore
and SAF that these assets are not directed towards Singapore. Our
aircraft are only parked in sun shelters not too dissimilar from a
car garage (no hardened shelters). All our bases (Lumut, Kuantan,
Butterworth + army bases)and facilities (i.e. EW radars) does not
have medium or long range air defense.
Our officers are trained and exposed enough to know that these
assets are sitting ducks to Singapore but I think the goverment
have decided long ago that this will be a sign of our
goodwill.
What more do Singapore wants as a sign that we will never use force
on them?
We do not have illusions that our Armed forces is the mightiest in
the region capable of destroying anyone (nor do we aspire or
profess to be one).
And we do not want to try matching SAF simply for the fact our
money is simply needed for development.
What is my point from writing this post?
Stop thinking that Malaysia poses a serious military threat to
Singapore. We never were and hopefully never will.
But if Singaporeans continue to treat Malaysia as a military threat
even when all the signs given is that we are not,it might become a
self fulfilling prophesy simply because we also need a deterent
against all potential threats (in this case the SAF threat is
real). It also provides fuel for those who want to capitalise on
our turbulent relation.
If you want to compare strenght of armed forces, do it with another
country. We were never in a contest with Singapore.
Force would not make our relations smoother.
Should there be anyone offended by my post, im sorry as i do not
mean any offense.
Thank You.
Note to all readers: All the above opinions were based on publicly
available information that i have inferred from.
[This message has been edited by eye (edited 14 April 2001).]
