The bustling maritime gateway of George Town has once again become the center of geopolitical discussions after welcoming another vessel from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy). This recent docking of the PLA Navy training vessel “PO LANG” at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) comes merely weeks after two other Chinese naval ships visited the state, triggering a debate within Malaysia on the increasing presence of foreign military forces in its waters.
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) confirmed “PO LANG’s” arrival in a statement released on social media, noting the ship’s journey from Colombo, Sri Lanka, as part of its training voyage across several countries. The Chinese vessel, spanning 86 meters in length, received a ceremonial welcome, replete with military honors. The KD SULTAN ISMAIL Band performed a musical tribute to greet the crew.
The arrival of “PO LANG” underscores China’s expanding naval diplomacy, particularly with Malaysia, where the ship’s presence has sparked both enthusiasm and concern. An RMN delegation, led by Captain Hj Shaiful Fadzli bin Ismail, Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations for the Western Fleet Command, played a key role in the reception. Representatives from the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang were also in attendance, alongside Malaysian federal and state officials.
In addition to its ceremonial entry, the visit of “PO LANG” holds strategic significance, as it is part of broader efforts to strengthen naval ties between the PLA Navy and the RMN. The commanding officer of “PO LANG,” along with the flotilla commander, is scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to RMN officials at the Navy Liaison Office in Penang. This engagement is expected to facilitate further dialogue on defense cooperation and maritime security in the region, aligning with the diplomatic protocols that accompany such visits.
Moreover, crew members from Malaysia’s training ship, KLD TUNAS SAMUDERA, along with officials from various government agencies, are set to board “PO LANG” as part of a knowledge and technology exchange program. This exchange is aimed at deepening mutual understanding and sharing best practices in naval operations and maritime security.
The arrival of “PO LANG” is not an isolated incident. Just weeks before, Penang played host to two other PLA Navy ships, the Qi Jiguang and Jinggang Shan, part of Task Group 83. The visit of these vessels, which stayed for three days, attracted significant attention and sparked mixed reactions across Malaysia. While the Chinese vessels were warmly received by local authorities and communities, with Speaker of the Penang State Assembly Law Choo Kiang hosting the ship commanders, the visit drew criticism from certain political factions, concerned about the increasing foreign military presence in Malaysian waters.
The Qi Jiguang and Jinggang Shan port call included cadet and sailor visits to local schools, such as Chung Ling High School, aimed at fostering goodwill between China and Malaysia. These gestures of cultural diplomacy, however, did little to quell concerns from some opposition figures and defense experts, who questioned the strategic implications of repeated Chinese naval visits.
The reception of multiple PLA Navy ships within a short timeframe has fueled a broader debate about Malaysia’s geopolitical positioning, particularly as it continues to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining good relations with major global powers like China, Russia, and Western nations. These naval visits highlight Malaysia’s unique role as a non-aligned nation in the South China Sea, where multiple interests converge.
It is noteworthy that, shortly after the departure of the two Chinese vessels, a flotilla of Russian Pacific Fleet warships docked in Penang. The Russian corvettes—RFS Gromkiy (335), RFS Rezkiy (343), and RFS Aldar Tsydenzhapov (339)—along with the replenishment tanker Pechenga, arrived for an operational visit, including resupply and crew rest. The Russian Navy’s visit coincided with the Memorial Ceremony of the 110th Anniversary of the Death of a Russian Sailor, a significant historical event for Russian-Malaysian relations.
The presence of these Steregushchiy-class warships, advanced vessels equipped with cutting-edge naval technology, underscores Russia’s continued naval outreach in the Indo-Pacific region. These visits highlight a key trend: Malaysia’s strategic ports, particularly in Penang, are becoming frequent stops for global naval powers.
In a development that further complicates the narrative of foreign military presence in Malaysia, two vessels from the German Navy, the FGS Baden-Württemberg (F222) and FGS Frankfurt am Main (A1412), docked at Port Klang Cruise Terminal last week for their first operational visit to Malaysia in over 22 years. Part of the German Navy’s Indo-Pacific Region Deployment 2024 (IPD 2024), the visit of these vessels signals Germany’s increasing interest in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the context of heightened tensions in the South China Sea and the global shift toward greater military presence in the region.
The German ships were led by Rear Admiral Helge Risch, the German Navy’s Director of Human Resources, who emphasized the mission’s focus on strengthening defense cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations. Malaysia’s welcoming of the German vessels marks another step in the nation’s attempts to diversify its international defense partnerships, signaling that it remains open to multiple avenues of cooperation despite ongoing naval visits from China and Russia.
While Malaysia has long championed a neutral stance in global conflicts, the increasing frequency of naval visits from major global powers has heightened concerns about the long-term implications for the country’s sovereignty and security. Critics have voiced worries that Malaysia’s openness to hosting foreign naval vessels, particularly from China and Russia, could be interpreted as tacit support for their strategic interests in the region.
Defense analysts have pointed out that China’s growing naval presence in the South China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims have fueled tensions with Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, could challenge Malaysia’s non-alignment policy. The South China Sea is a vital waterway for global trade, and ensuring stability in this region is crucial for Malaysia’s economic and security interests. The docking of PLA Navy ships so close to disputed areas has raised questions about whether Malaysia can maintain its neutral stance without appearing to lean toward Beijing.
On the domestic front, opposition leaders and civil society groups have called for greater transparency from the government regarding its defense and foreign policy. Some have expressed concerns that these high-profile naval visits could be a prelude to more significant strategic alignments, which could jeopardize Malaysia’s longstanding neutral position in international conflicts. Critics have also questioned the lack of public debate or parliamentary oversight concerning the country’s growing engagement with foreign military forces.
As Malaysia continues to welcome foreign naval vessels from various global powers, the government will need to carefully navigate the complex geopolitical landscape. Strengthening ties with major nations is a double-edged sword that requires a delicate balance between economic and strategic benefits, as well as preserving national sovereignty and independence.
While China’s PLA Navy and Russia’s Pacific Fleet have been frequent visitors to Malaysia’s ports, visits like those of the German Navy indicate that Malaysia remains a focal point of interest for Western powers, as well. With nations like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom also enhancing their naval presence in the Indo-Pacific through exercises and defense cooperation agreements, Malaysia’s position as a key player in regional maritime diplomacy will likely continue to grow.
However, as these foreign naval visits become more frequent, the Malaysian government will need to address the domestic concerns about national security, transparency, and sovereignty. Navigating these challenges will require clear communication with the public and a well-defined strategy that balances foreign relations with Malaysia’s core interests in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The Chinese naval vessel “PO LANG” is the latest chapter in a growing series of foreign military visits to Malaysia, each with its own diplomatic, strategic, and geopolitical implications. As Penang and Port Klang continue to play host to the world’s naval powers, Malaysia’s role in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea will likely become even more critical, as it seeks to maintain a delicate balance between competing global interests. The road ahead for Malaysia’s maritime diplomacy will require careful navigation, transparency, and a commitment to maintaining its sovereignty in an increasingly complex world.
