Malaysia, environment and arms

unresolved territorial ddisputes questions emerge as to the motivation behind the planned arms purchases. Currently Malaysia is involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; The Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State; Pulau Batu Putih (Pedra Branca Island) is disputed with Singapore and Sipadan and Ligitan Islands are in dispute with Indonesia.4 With so many ?foreign issues? on its mind, the environment is not likely to feature high on the political agenda of the country?s leadership. Before long, it may force itself on the agenda, regardless of military, economic or other personal priorities of the countries? leadership.

========================================= 1 Slouching Toward Disaster, Maverick Chronicles, Greg Guma, January 7, 1998, Toward Freedom, 1/98 2 The 2001 Human Development Report ranks the city-state of Singapore at 26 and Brunei at 32. Malaysia ranks 56th, unrivalled by Thailand at 66, The Philippines at 70, Vietnam at 101 and Indonesia at 102. 3 For example, Malaysia?s GDP pre capita and life expectancy index are close to or well above levels in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. 4 For some historical background on Malaysia's political development see "the reading room" on the web-site of Sam Pillay: http://www.angelfire.com/ak5/saj_pillay/

P.S. Arms purchases continue to be on Malaysia's political agenda as reported in THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT BRIEFING 06.6.02 at http://www.developmentex.com

MALAYSIA: Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that the government would buy three submarines from French and Spanish suppliers in a $971 million deal. The submarines, which some analysts view as a threat to regional military parity, are expected to be delivered by 2008.

also refer to: Reuters Company News Malaysia hopes to buy Super Hornet jets this year Saturday September 7, 2002 :

Malaysia hopes to conclude a deal to buy U.S.-made Boeing( F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters by the end of the year, Defence Minister Najib Tun Razak said on Saturday. ... Najib was quoted by the official Bernama news agency as saying that discussions on the technical performance of the aircraft as well as the number of planes to be bought were under way.

He was responding to reports earlier this week that the Pentagon had notified U.S. Congress of a possible sale to Malaysia of 18 of the jets as part of a deal that could be worth nearly $1.5 billion. ... Besides the fighter jets, the sale is expected to include aircraft engines, radar systems and guided missile launchers.

Malaysia's air force currently has Russian MiG-29s, Boeing F/A-18D Hornets and British-made Hawk jets.

Najib said Malaysia,

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