Malaysia accepts US proposal on Thai air base
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Malaysia does not regard US proposals to use the U-tapao air base in Rayong, Thailand as interference in the Asean region.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia respects any decision made on the matter.
“We respect the agreement made between both countries. The US has the right to bilateral relations with any country they regard as a friend or ally. I don’t see the US as interfering in Asean,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here today.
He said this when asked to comment on US proposals to use the air base for climate-research as well as a centre for humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief training.
Last Wednesday, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the country’s government would appoint a committee to conduct studies on the proposal.
