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AUKUS Alliance may lead to arms race, provocation -- Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- Malaysia on Saturday expressed its concern that the US, UK and Australia security pact (AUKUS) may provoke a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison called his Malaysian counterpart Ismail Sabri Yaakob to explain that the formation of the tripartite group was to help it acquire nuclear-powered submarines, according to a statement from the Malaysian government. "Ismail told Morrison he was concerned AUKUS could provoke other powers to act more aggressively in the region, especially in the South China Sea. The two leaders renewed commitments to ensure peace, especially in the Indo-Pacific", according to the statement.(end) oab.hs