Sarawak and the US-China competition

The establishment of a new type of inter-power relationship between China and the United States needs an accumulation of dribs and drabs.

Did you know that the CIA used to have a listening post in Kuching at the height of the Cold War? In fact, did you know that Sarawak was so important to the balance of power in the region that the Americans decided to set up an office to check on parcels coming from China, where dust particles coming from concerned regions were scrutinised by the CIA to keep tabs on China’s nuclear ambition in the 60s.

Honestly, I didn’t know – until our young chap from Oxford, Syed Nizamuddin Khassim, revealed this piece of information when I decided to have a chat with him before I interviewed him for my piece.

He said all these were detailed in Professor Michael Leigh’s ‘Deals, Datus and Dayaks: Sarawak and Brunei in the Making of Malaysia’ which tells the story of Malaysia’s formation and its early struggle for survival.

With the increasing tension between Washington and Beijing, Sarawak may find itself sandwiched once again. Worryingly, the present China is more assertive and militaristic than it was in the 60s.

A consummate diplomat who doesn’t reveal too much detail, he side-stepped from naming countries but cautioned that “to divorce trade and many other international engagements from geopolitical reality is naiveté”.

“Trade decisions or the twinning of cities cannot be looked in vacuum. What Sarawak needs is a coordinating focal point – one that not only coordinates Sarawak’s international engagements but one that would coordinate effectively with Wisma Putra,” says Syed Nizamuddin. It was this answer that prompted me to interview him for my previous piece.

Indeed, Malaysia has been quite careful in balancing the interests of both the US and China. Dubbed as “hedging”, the goal of this strategy is to mitigate the risks and benefits between two super powers.

Statements, visits and facetime matter a lot to maintain equal distance between the two military and economic giants. While the federal government is advised by Wisma Putra, Sarawak lacks any diplomatic advice to deal with the increasingly volatile relations between China and the US.

Sarawak used to have a diplomatic advisor, none other than the venerable former secretary general of Wisma Putra, Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, between 2010 and 2013. But the post has since been scrapped, giving way to STATOS (Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore) which focuses mainly on trade and tourism.

I also learned that a similar entity will be established in Pontianak in view of the increased trade in Kalimantan. Sarawak is eyeing one too in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. 

With the present geopolitical climate, it’s not possible for Sarawak to “divorce trade from politics”. Nary a day goes by without a news detailing how trade and international politics are intertwined.

The recently-held Kazan Forum for example, according to Syed Nizamuddin, while organised “as a platform for economic cooperation”, was meant to maintain what is left of Russia’s friendly ties. The Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka is another cautionary tale; where the debt-laced ‘assistance’ eventually allowed China to dock its military ship there.

Not many Sarawakians know this, but China continues to claim Sarawak’s Beting Patinggi Ali, also known as Luconia Shoals as their ‘southernmost part of China’. Once in a while, the China Coast Guard – the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the People’s Armed Police of China – would have its vessel anchored in Sarawak’s waters.

In our eagerness to welcome investments from China, I think we have overlooked the threats that come with the promises of profitable trade. And this is where my concern was initially roused.

As of now, we don’t have a competent body to advise and coordinate the state government’s actions. Each state government agencies has its own international ambition. What would happen then if one foreign country monopolises the agenda of our entire agencies?

While Wisma Putra exists at the federal level, we have no similar or equal agency to advise our agencies at the state level.

Who then, shall advise our state government on how to navigate the treacherous waters of international politics? Much has been talked about in the New Sarawak Tribune on Dec 14 2023 on the opportunities provided by the existence of an international affairs department in Sarawak. It is about time now for us to talk about the risks of not having such coordinating agency in our state machinery.

The state government may have to seriously look into setting up a coordinating agency.

The way forward within the short period is to have a seconded officer from Wisma Putra (at least at an ambassadorial level, and a Sarawakian) to advise the Premier. We already have a Wisma Putra office in Kuching, but primarily just to look into consular matters. Better utilise that; this is the short term.

The best time to move is now. Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar will be the 17^th Agong next year. There are strong rumours that the new chief secretary to the government will be the state secretary from Johor.

From what I gather through some sources, Johor once sought to have a similar office but was rejected by the federal government under the Mahathir Administration. For Sarawak, now with Gabungan Parti Sarawak( GPS) holding a dominant position, this is the best time to bargain, and perhaps seek a strategic bargaining position with Johor vis-a-vis Putrajaya.

It would be good if Sarawak leaders call on the future Agong – the Sultan of Johor – before he ascends the throne. His will be a much more ‘hands-on’ reign.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.