Kuala Lampur, Aug. 20 -- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's recent remarks on Taiwan generated international headlines for two reasons.

First, Anwar openly acknowledged Beijing's territorial claim on Taiwan.

Second, Anwar affirmed the possibility that force could be used----as and when peaceful reunification failed.

Read without context, Anwar's words look stark.

However, when placed within Malaysia's constitutional make-up, Anwar's broader point about sovereignty can be understood as a defence of territorial integrity.

In turn, the value embedded in the deterrent function of state power-not an endorsement of war.

In particular, Anwar framed his view with a domestic analogy in mind: no responsible leader could accept the breakup of the ...