The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China, and four additional warships from the Russian Pacific Fleet have docked in the northern Malaysian state. The Russian vessels are in Malaysia for a ceremony marking the 110th anniversary of the sinking of the Russian cruiser Zhemchug during World War I’s Battle of Penang. The ceremony will be held tomorrow at George Town Port, and the presence of these warships adds another layer of geopolitical complexity to the region’s maritime landscape.
The Zhemchug (Pearl), a protected cruiser from the Imperial Russian Navy, was stationed at Penang in 1914 when it was attacked by the German cruiser SMS Emden. The surprise assault, part of the Battle of Penang during World War I, resulted in the destruction of the Zhemchug and the tragic loss of 88 Russian sailors. The attack was a striking moment in naval warfare history, as SMS Emden managed to slip into Penang undetected, launching a devastating attack that remains a focal point of World War I’s naval confrontations in Southeast Asia.
Tomorrow’s ceremony at George Town Port will see the attendance of high-ranking officials from both Russia and Malaysia, including the Russian Federation’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Nalyl Latypov, and Captain 1st Rank Alexei Antisiferov. The event is expected to be a solemn occasion, honoring the sailors who perished in the battle, and serves as a reminder of the region’s storied maritime history.
The Russian ships that have arrived in Penang include the corvettes Gromky, Rezky, Aldar Tsydenzhapov, and the fuel supply ship Pechenga. The Gromky and Rezky are part of Russia’s Pacific Fleet and are classified as Steregushchiy-class corvettes, equipped for anti-submarine warfare and air defense operations. These ships are representative of modern Russian naval capability, which is increasingly being showcased in international waters, particularly in regions of strategic importance like Southeast Asia.
The Malaysian government has granted permission for these Russian warships to dock, and local media outlets have reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has outlined strict regulations governing their stay. The use of electronic equipment onboard the ships is expected to be minimized, and additional safety protocols have been put in place to ensure the security of both the vessels and their crew.
“All costs incurred during the docking will be borne by the Russian Federation,” one media report emphasized, underscoring that Malaysia is not incurring any financial burdens from the visit. Additionally, the arrival of the Russian warships provides a unique diplomatic opportunity for Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry to enhance its ties with Moscow, particularly in light of shifting regional dynamics.
The arrival of the Russian warships follows just days after two Chinese warships made their own port call in Penang. Task Group 83 of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), comprising the Qi Jiguang and Jinggang Shan, had docked at George Town Port as part of a training and goodwill visit. This juxtaposition of naval visits from two major world powers—China and Russia—within such a short timeframe has raised eyebrows among local political figures and geopolitical analysts alike.
Former Deputy Defense Minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz expressed concern about the presence of the Chinese warships and the Penang state government’s warm reception of the PLAN sailors. “The extraordinary reception by the Penang government sends the wrong message to Malaysians and is insensitive to the issue of overlapping claims in the South China Sea,” Ikmal said, referencing China’s ongoing maritime disputes with multiple Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia.
The PLAN warships’ visit included cultural exchanges, with commanders from the Chinese vessels meeting Penang’s State Assembly Speaker Law Choo Kiang and PLAN sailors visiting Chung Ling High School, a private educational institution. These activities were seen by some critics as an unnecessary display of warmth towards China, given the context of ongoing territorial tensions in the South China Sea.
Former Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah also joined the chorus of criticism, calling the reception for the PLAN warships “illogical,” especially when viewed against the backdrop of Chinese naval assets frequently encroaching on Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak.
Malaysia finds itself in a delicate position, balancing relations with multiple world powers that have conflicting interests in the region. The docking of Chinese and Russian warships in Penang within such a short span reflects this geopolitical tightrope. On one hand, Malaysia has longstanding historical ties with Russia, including military cooperation agreements and diplomatic exchanges that have been strengthened over decades. The commemoration of the Zhemchug incident is symbolic of these enduring relations.
On the other hand, China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with Malaysia over features like Beting Patinggi Ali, has made Kuala Lumpur cautious. Although the Chinese warships’ visit was framed as a training exercise and goodwill mission, it occurred amidst heightened tensions in the region. China has been deploying its naval assets and coast guard ships in contested areas, prompting concerns about Beijing’s long-term ambitions in these waters.
Malaysia’s decision to host both Russian and Chinese warships within days of each other may be seen as part of its broader strategy of non-alignment and neutrality. By engaging with multiple powers, Malaysia seeks to maintain its sovereignty and strategic independence while also avoiding getting caught in the crossfire of great-power competition.
Naval diplomacy—exemplified by port calls, joint exercises, and commemorative events like the Zhemchug ceremony—has become a key feature of Malaysia’s foreign relations. While these interactions can help build military and diplomatic ties, they can also serve as a platform for projecting influence and signaling geopolitical intentions.
The presence of the Russian Pacific Fleet in Penang, for instance, signals Moscow’s interest in maintaining a naval presence in Southeast Asia, a region that has become increasingly important to global trade and security. Russia has sought to enhance its relations with ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, as part of its pivot towards the Asia-Pacific region.
At the same time, the Chinese warships’ visit reflects Beijing’s ongoing efforts to strengthen military and diplomatic ties with countries along its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Port visits, military training, and cultural exchanges are part of China’s broader strategy to expand its influence, particularly in Southeast Asia, which is a critical juncture for the BRI’s maritime routes.
For Malaysia, these visits underscore the importance of naval diplomacy in shaping the country’s foreign relations. By hosting ships from both China and Russia, Malaysia is reinforcing its commitment to a balanced foreign policy that engages with all major powers while safeguarding its national interests.
The arrival of the Russian and Chinese warships in Malaysia has not gone unnoticed by regional powers, particularly the United States and its allies, who view Southeast Asia as a key theater in their strategic competition with China. While the U.S. has its own longstanding military ties with Malaysia, including joint exercises and defense agreements, the recent visits by Russian and Chinese warships could be perceived as a shift in Malaysia’s defense partnerships.
The presence of these foreign naval assets may also provoke reactions from neighboring Southeast Asian countries, especially those with overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea. Countries like Vietnam and the Philippines, which have had direct confrontations with Chinese vessels in the disputed waters, are likely to view Malaysia’s hosting of Chinese warships with a degree of concern.
At the same time, Malaysia’s neutral stance could be seen as an effort to de-escalate tensions in the region by maintaining open lines of communication with all major players. This approach aligns with Malaysia’s long-standing policy of non-alignment, which has allowed it to navigate the complex geopolitics of Southeast Asia while avoiding entanglement in great-power conflicts.
