JOHOR BARU: The government has refuted claims by the opposition that Malaysia is receiving instructions from China regarding the trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS).
Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the proposal to contact China over the issue was to get latter's stand on the matter.
"We only want to get China's stand on AUKUS and what possible response they might have, not to get any instructions from them," said Hishammuddin.
He said there was nothing wrong for Malaysia to get China's view on matter since China has an interest in the Southeast Asian region.
"I would like to stress that we only want to get China's views, not to get their instructions. This would enable Malaysia and other countries in the region to take proactive measures," said Hishammuddin.
He was speaking to the media after visiting the drive through vaccination centre at the Ulu Tiram Camp here.
Earlier today, the Pakatan Harapan Security Committee issued a statement questioning Hishammuddin's statement at the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia would get China's view on Aukus.
The committee said the statement raised a perception that Malaysia seemed to be getting instructions from China.
It said Malaysia needed to be seen as neutral and not siding with any parties in the matter regarding AUKUS.
Hishammuddin said Malaysia had good relationships with both China and the US where there were mutual respect between the countries.
"However, that friendliness does not mean that we will compromise on our sovereignty."