Mima outlines strategies to increase security in South China Sea

KUALA LUMPUR: The Maritime Institute of Malaysia (Mima) First Admiral (r) Datuk Chin Yoon Chin today outlined several strategies for the government to consider when looking into security in the South China Sea (SCS).
Stressing that matters related to the SCS are complex, he said, it must be handled constructively by all parties concerned, which includes Asean.
Among the proposed strategies are:
>> Asean to bring together all of its dialogue partners in meaningful diplomatic forums and
>> Asean's unity is essential to ensure that power-based order does not overshadow rule-based forums
Saying these in his closing remark at the conference here today, Chin said the militarisation of the SCS is enviable and could be interpreted in different ways.
"We learned of a new term – combatisation – which captured our attention. However, China's activities in the SCS are deemed to have contributed to rising tensions." he added.
He, however, said that addressing this will require new approaches, and, more importantly, a change in the political mindsets of the various stakeholders.
He added that law enforcement agencies also have an equal responsibility to ensure that it is done in non-confrontational manner.
This, he said, is because the agencies have a responsibility and duty to protect maritime sovereignty.
He also said that it is vital that the extraction of marine resources is done in a sustainable manner.
Chin added that the strategies were outlined during Mima's 5th South China Sea Conference which was held at a hotel here.