PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has criticised certain groups for making an issue out of the recent docking of two Chinese navy ships in Penang.
Anwar said Malaysia has long participated in military operations with the United States, India, China, Singapore, and Indonesia.
"What is the problem with that? For me, it is not a problem because it has been going on for so long.
"In fact, during the previous government, in the era of Pas and Bersatu, an Israeli plane flew through Malaysian airspace, and Israeli ships were also allowed to enter the port.
"But it wasn't an issue then. Only now has it become an issue," he said in his speech at the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) 78th Annual General Meeting held today.
He said this in response to criticism from the opposition regarding the docking of training ships 'Qi Jiguang' and 'Jinggangshan' from Zhanjiang, China, calling it insensitive due to the ongoing conflict over the South China Sea.
Anwar said he is unperturbed by critics over the matter since the important thing is that Malaysia has a policy of good relations with all countries.
He added that all countries, except Israel, are welcome to dock their ships for investment at ports around Malaysia.
"There's no compromise on that. The only country we do not allow is Israel; others can come in.
"That is what we're practicing now, but this has been made an issue to confuse people, claiming that China has taken over.
"… Because when Anwar is friendly with President Xi Jinping, Chinese warships come in," he said.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that the recent docking of the two Chinese navy ships in Penang is routine and poses no threat to national security, citing the long-standing bilateral relations between Malaysia and China.