Right, here we go, pay attention or mute if you prefer, am going to provide a rebuttal to this https://twitter.com/AsiaMTI/status/1266392535385231360

First off, one has to bear in mind that both the writers work closely with @LiewChinTong so one has to be cautious in them explaining Malaysia's rationale since they can only explain for the two years Pakatan government in power and even then neither close to @chedetofficial ...

..to really put forth what the then PM was thinking as when it comes to strategic matters and government policy, Mahathir's way is normally that he call shots and the Jabronis in coalition better obey or else, and if you need an example... https://twitter.com/MSabu_Official 

and with that one cannot accept that the authors can explain also what was BN government's rationale and policy thinking on South China Sea given neither of them have any insider connection or information to really discern what going on behind scenes since they with PH

And don't @ me on public statements to media and speeches as we all know that " this for the record ", unfortunately to understand Malaysia's strategic policy decisions, you'll need really to have insider accounts from various perspectives that pull it all together in a book..

Something similar to what Bob Woodward wrote in his books on US policy decisions (and even that is disputed as having a real picture as based on what your sources tell) but unfortunately there is nothing like that in Malaysia really...

And keep in mind this is Malaysia where ethnicity plays a role, you're expecting two Malaysian Chinese to have insights about the rationale and decisions made by Malay politicians, foreign ministry and defence ministry officials and military officers??? ..

That's kinda like listening to Ahmad Chalabi telling you how an invasion of Iraq would be great and things will run smoothly there if you get rid of Saddam, oh wait.. the United States exactly did that...

So in short, the US elites have a history of listening to local country X elites that things will be great for US-X country relations and policies if US does blah blah etc and then US will do great and the later US wondering what went wrong, like this

Right, that's the primer over it, what, you think that all it was, I just getting started, pretty much going on like this

First, off article makes no mention of why West Capella drilling there in first place, which annoyed Vietnam and also invited response of China, who made call for that one, and please let's not go into it's Najib's fault one way or another ...

Questions arise on what PH govt rationale for going ahead, anyone tell them China might react to it? Vietnam get annoyed? Cannot even get Seletar and Tuas dispute and then want to put head in Lion's mouth after put head in Merlion's mouth and get SG mobilization exercise

Also what ordeal is this for Malaysia? China sink Malaysian fishing ships? RMN LCS got rammed? (cannot as still being constructed though), sanctions? blockade? Ordeal is what Malaysian Sarawak fishermen got with CCG stopping them from fishing...

And while I not keen Perikatan govt come into power, making too much of it be a political coup is something else, like how many Aust Prime Ministers got changed that way, is that called a political coup too, PM Scott Morrison not proper PM also? @TheBaseLeg don't answer that

Suggesting increase diplomatic ties with China ignores fact that this is a China with different outlook, President Xi's policy is "Make China imperial power again", Chinese version of Make America Great again with difference that whole of China government and business support

Unlike US where half of government, most of business, 99 percent of Hollywood etc only can when Trump says that but Xi has everyone on his side following so how is small Malaysia able to really convince China when China side is " bow before us or else.."

And not as if it not been tried before during PM Najib and Defence Minister Hishammuddin time, the two people who probably had the best diplomatic/political capital with China couldn't work much and now expect Malaysia still can...

Also, to say that Malaysian society appreciates China assistance belies fact that Health D-G had to explain it as public not happy, see below before anyone says I making it up https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/chinas-medical-team-here-so-we-can-learn-about-their-covid-19-mistakes-too-health-d-g-says/ar-BB12S1jK?li=BBr8Hnu

As it is, the Malaysian public more enthusiastic about US delivering ScanEagles to Malaysia, see the comments on US embassy FB page, many of them asking for more lethal equipment to counter China...

As for strengthening maritime capabilities, basically that's what every RMN Chief been trying to do, from number 8 to 16 plus current 17th Chief throughout my career covering defence and am sure previous ones also.. see list here http://www.navy.mil.my/index.php/mengenai-kami/informasi/kepimpinan

The biggest problem is that the government does not see funding as the priority because it not really get them votes and all Malaysian governments have fallacy of thinking diplomacy better but forget what if that not work out...

Can attest to three previous RMN Chiefs who pushed for Navy funding and capability increase, namely @CarlosRammie, @tsdraziz and @mykamarul who all pushed but got limited traction on naval capabilities unless govt thought it beneficial to pol interest

Admirals Ramlan and Aziz bought as CN gave a blunt Farragut damn the torpedoes approach in telling the government what the situation is but government ignore, Admiral Kamarul tried David Beatty approach of PR, charm politicians and public support but got no traction also..

So really, everytime want to talk of improve naval capabilities ignores fact RMN Chiefs tried with different approaches and go nowhere, cancelled programs include Lekiu Batch II, Perry class surplus, USS Denver surplus, Nakhoda Ragam purchase among others..

And no point talking about improve naval capabilities when we not even sort out the mess called LCS (no not the US one ) and given the Covid-19 situation and aftermath funding is out to do so...

And all good to talk about emphasis MDA etc, coordination among government but PH government did zilch on the two years it had, 90 percent of then Cabinet not even turn up for DWP in Parliament though now all want to attend Parliament, priorities I guess

As for engaging ASEAN, not really much use, don't put too much faith in an organisation which comes up with a horrible handshake but seriously, lets look at how ASEAN stacks up in regard to standing against China by country...

Brunei - neutral but China investment may assert and also limited power/influence
Cambodia -China - economic and investment
Indonesia - nationalistic and neutral, could support US or China depending on situation of day (like deny US visa to Indonesian general)

Laos - China - economy and investment
Malaysia - neutral - but lean to China with economic investment but happy to get US mil aid as then can spend own money elsewhere plus trip to Hawaii to see PACOM or DC to see POTUS
Myanmar - China - economy/investment

Philippines - China - Duterte, enough said, not matter what PH govt/military think...
Singapore - neutral but lean to US (that neutral good in ADnD terms) but still nervous if APCs get confiscated again and economy too, next PM may not be that leaning to US

Thailand - China - even though Cobra Gold is still held (for now) - economic and business ties
Vietnam - neutral but lean towards US but sticky if issues on freedom of speech internally comes up..

So where that leave US with ASEAN, not really in a good place given,it cannot really muster anyone in corner for time being, problem is US can't really muster enough support even before Trump but everyone like to say it Trump's fault, could be anyone else as POTUS and same..

Fundamentally the article seems to imply US and everyone must reduce tensions with China when the whole issue is China's increasing ambitions for dominance and asserting its claims, no amount of panda-ring to China going to change that..

Plain fact is that for Malaysia, it really has to have the will and inclination to push forward improving its military capabilities rather than talking on it, at the same time an internal look has to be undertaken on those pushing pro-China agenda like giving out comic books..

No amount of US aid/assistance or diplomacy going to change fact that Malaysia need to be prepared, as no longer whether axe will fall or not, but when axe will fall..

So end of day, articles like this play well in DC think tank circles but situation is different really and to be honest Malaysia really has to brace that push might come to shove in SCS but many peddling line that diplomacy can settle and MAF can improve (no if govt not want it)