Parti Bumi Kenayalang’s mission is to set Sarawak free and gain independence by peaceful and lawful means. PBK has received overwhelming support from Sarawakians, but, they were concerned about security matters.
The question they posed to me was that - If Sarawak is independent, will there be a possibility that neighouring countries will attack Sarawak?
The answer is no because no country wants war. War is forbidden under international law. The Charter of the United Nations states clearly that the threat or use of force against other States is unlawful. Chapter VII of United Nations allows member States the use of force in collective action to maintain or restore international peace and security.
China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and definitely China would not like to see wars in this region. Being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China definitely will do all things possible to ensure peace in this region. China has vast investments in Sarawak including hydropower development besides other businesses.
Definitely, China wishes not to see their investments be jeopardized if there is a war. The South China Sea is a strategic marine passage as a trade route for China to all parts of the world and China definitely wishes to ensure peace in this region.
Further, there is a firm commitment by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to protect China’s overseas interests. In a White Paper on China's National Defense in the New Era the People’s Liberation Army redefined its mission, the White Paper states that,
"It's one of the PLA's missions to effectively protect the safety and rightful interests of overseas Chinese people and organizations," – see online CGTN published on 24 July, 2019.
Since Sarawak has huge overseas Chinese population, it would be difficult for the People’s Liberation Army from China to ignore not sending to Sarawak its army to protect overseas Chinese here in the event when a war breaks out with a neighbouring country.
Wars can’t break out here because whoever causes wars can face the tribunal of United Nations International Criminal Court in Hague, the Netherlands.
We wish to say Dayaks in Kalimatan may not be happy if a neighbouring country suddenly attack an independent Sarawak because many of them have relatives and friends here. They will definitely wish to protect Sarawak in numbers, if an independent Sarawak is attacked by a foreign country.
For security purposes, if Sarawak is independent, Sarawak only needs an efficient police force, not a strong army. There are many countries in the world that do not have any army at all and these countries include Nauru, Geranda, Marshall Islands, Andorra, Samoa, Mauritius, Vanuatu, Panama and Soloman Islands.
VOON LEE SHAN
President,
Parti Bumi Kenyalang
21 Sept 2022
