Malaysia must keep its options open

DURING his much publicized recent visit to Beijing, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak pledged to take his country’s relationship with China to new heights. In that trip, Najib signed an estimated $34 billion in investment and infrastructure deals. He also agreed to buy at least four Chinese-made naval vessels.

This would be Malaysia’s first major arms purchase from China. But does it portend a bolder Malaysian policy of addressing aggressive action by claimants to the South China Sea islands? One recalls Malaysia speaking with alarm and anger about Chinese naval and Coast Guard behavior in the Spratlys and other parts of the SCS.