Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR436
2008-05-28 08:02:00
SECRET
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:  

SCENESETTER FOR SECRETARY GATES' MEETING WITH

Tags:  MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PREL PTER OVIP MY 
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OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHKL #0436/01 1490802
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O 280802Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1052
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000436 

SIPDIS

FOR SECRETARY GATES FROM AMBASSADOR KEITH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2028
TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PREL PTER OVIP MY
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR SECRETARY GATES' MEETING WITH
MALAYSIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAJIB TUN RAZAK

Classified By: Ambassador James R. Keith, reasons 1.4 (b, c, d).

Introduction
------------

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000436

SIPDIS

FOR SECRETARY GATES FROM AMBASSADOR KEITH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/28/2028
TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PREL PTER OVIP MY
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR SECRETARY GATES' MEETING WITH
MALAYSIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NAJIB TUN RAZAK

Classified By: Ambassador James R. Keith, reasons 1.4 (b, c, d).

Introduction
--------------


1. (C) I welcome your planned meeting with Malaysian Deputy
Prime Minister and Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak in
Singapore. Najib remains at the center of Malaysia's
leadership crisis, but thus far has refrained from
challenging the politically wounded Prime Minister Abdullah.
Najib conveys a sophisticated understanding of regional and
world power dynamics; a balance of power strategic view,
including of the U.S. and China; and a relatively pragmatic
approach to security issues. As you explore bilateral
defense relations with Najib, it will be useful to frame the
discussion in terms of our shared national security interests
in adhering to international norms, particularly
nonproliferation and export controls, and in strengthening
international institutions, such as multilateral
peacekeeping. Recognizing that it benefits from regional
stability, Malaysia has contributed to conflict resolution in
Southeast Asia. That said, Malaysia can and should do more,
commensurate with the benefits it derives from regional peace
and stability, and from secure sea lanes of communication.

Najib in Balancing Act
--------------


2. (S) Najib, as Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy President
of the leading UMNO party, is carrying out a careful
balancing act in the midst of Malaysia's leadership crisis,
which resulted from the March 8 election setback to UMNO's
National Front coalition. As calls mounted for Prime
Minister Abdullah to step down immediately, many UMNO elites
turned to Najib, who is seen as a more forceful leader better
able to fend off challenges from an empowered opposition led
by long-standing activist Anwar Ibrahim. Abdullah has
confirmed that he would hand over power to Najib, but only in

another two to three years. Najib has carefully played the
loyal deputy. While still the most likely successor, other
contenders have emerged, and Najib must deal with domestic
political vulnerabilities, including his reputation for
corruption and allegations of linkages to an ongoing murder
case. We believe that Najib currently seeks to burnish his
leadership image by seeking more statesmanlike engagements on
the world stage.

Defense Ties Remain Strong
--------------


3. (S) The fluid political situation since the March 8
elections has not affected our bilateral military interaction
with Malaysia, which remains strong. Military-to-military
cooperation has improved in recent years, as reflected in
part by increased U.S. Navy ship visits (22 in 2007, up from
5 in 2003); regular high-level exchanges; Malaysia's
co-hosting of the Asia Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference
in 2007; and U.S. provision of 1206-funded coastal radars for
eastern Sabah facing the maritime terrorist-transit area
between Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Behind the
scenes, Malaysia has provided important cooperation on
counter-terrorism, an effort led by Malaysia's police rather
than the military.

Sophisticated, Pragmatic View of Security Issues
-------------- ---


4. (C) As Defense Minister, Najib conveys a sophisticated
understanding of regional and world power dynamics and a more
pragmatic approach to security issues compared to most other
Malaysian leaders. Najib is one of the few strategic
thinkers within the political elite, and at times he has
overruled elements of the Foreign and Defense ministries,
steeped in Non-Aligned Movement ideology, to push for
mutually beneficial cooperation, such as the 1206-funded
radars for Sabah. His expressed views on the future regional
presence of China and India are not far from our own. He is
watching closely the emerging powers, but he perceives
significant benefit to Malaysia in the successful integration
of both countries into global and regional institutions.

Adhering to International Norms - Nonproliferation
-------------- --------------


5. (S) As you explore U.S.-Malaysia defense relations with
Najib, it will be useful to frame the discussion in terms of
our shared national security interests in adhering to

KUALA LUMP 00000436 002 OF 002


international norms related to nonproliferation and export
controls, and in strengthening international institutions.
Malaysia is an aspiring first world nation with a strong
vested interest in global peace and prosperity, and prides
itself in upholding UN decisions. At the same time, Malaysia
lacks an export control regime and invests little effort in
implementing current UN sanctions against Iran, a situation
that Iran exploits. An export control regime will provide
the confidence needed for the future sale and transfer of
sophisticated defense technology, whether from the U.S. or
others. More broadly, robust export controls go hand-in-hand
with Malaysia's drive to attract investment in high
technology areas and become a regional trading hub.
Malaysia's consideration of and tangible steps toward a goal
of joining the Missile Technology Control Regime would
complement the establishment and implementation of an export
control regime, and help it move closer to the international
mainstream with regard to missile nonproliferation.

Strengthening International Institutions - PKO
-------------- -


6. (C) In addition, Malaysian long-term security interests
are well served by strengthening and contributing to
international institutions under the UN and other bodies.
Malaysia's contributions to international peacekeeping, such
as its soldiers' current service in Lebanon under UNIFIL,
represent a strong, positive example, as would future
Malaysian deployments in Afghanistan or Darfur.

Regional Role
--------------


7. (C) Closer to home, Malaysia benefits from regional
stability, due in no small part to our contributions, and out
of self-interest Malaysia has played a role in conflict
resolution in Southeast Asia, usually outside of ASEAN
structures. Over the past few years, Malaysia has
contributed personnel and aid to Aceh, assisted in the
stabilization of East Timor, facilitated peace talks between
the Philippines government and Mindanao insurgents, and
delivered some relief supplies to cyclone-hit Burma. Despite
Malaysia's recent decision to withdraw cease-fire monitors
from Mindanao, we should encourage Malaysia to play a
constructive role in stabilizing the southern Philippines,
thus preventing conflict from affecting Malaysia's own
borders. While Malaysia has been reticent to push for reform
in Burma, the aftermath of the Cyclone Nargis provides an
example of the horrific consequences of the Burmese junta's
misrule and the costs to the region. Malaysia could play an
important part in future ASEAN disaster response mechanisms.
KEITH