Temasek, inside the Congress Building.
President Min Bochen, with a stern face, looked at the members below and gritted his teeth, "Speak, all of you speak, what exactly is going on at the Kra Isthmus Canal? Who can give me an answer?"
The seated members below were all silent, as if their minds were drifting far away, with none responding.
"No one is speaking, eh? The deeds you've done yourselves, do I need to personally call you out? Cui Yanlin, I know it's your doing, now you dare not admit it?"
Min Bochen's gaze turned towards a middle-aged man, who was Cui Yanlin, both the Minister of State and National Security Coordinator and a representative of Temasek's pro-Beautiful Country faction.
"Your Excellency, President, what we did was for the good of Temasek. If we allow the Jieke Group to break through the Kra Isthmus Canal, the number of ships passing through the Malacca Strait would inevitably decrease. What would we use to feed our citizens then?"
Facing accusations and pressure, Cui Yanlin snorted coldly and spoke righteously, "It's not just me opposing, look at our people of Temasek, who would want to see the Kra Isthmus Canal completed? We all rely on the Malacca Strait for our livelihood. If we don't do something, we will starve to death."
Other members below nodded their heads, even those who were neutral understood the importance of the Malacca Strait to Temasek. Once the Kra Isthmus Canal was completed, Temasek would be in deep trouble.
"That does not justify your irresponsible actions, we are but a small nation, do you understand that? By provoking the Jieke Group, what do you think it will lead to? Do you think Temasek can afford it?"
Min Bochen slammed the table, his gaze fierce.
Although Temasek was an important transshipment hub connecting Asian to European maritime transport, and had a GDP exceeding four hundred billion US dollars, it was indeed a very small country.
Because its population was merely over seven million and the total area was 735 square kilometers, consisting of Temasek Island and 63 nearby smaller islands, not even as large as many countries' single counties.
Thus, although Temasek's economy ranked among the top globally, it was confined by factors such as land area, population, and resources, and was essentially a small country.
If it wasn't for controlling the Malacca Strait, this vital waterway, such a small nation like Temasek wouldn't be cared about at all.
"Between Jieke Group and Beautiful Country, we must make a choice. Jieke Group constructing the Kra Isthmus Canal is like putting their hands directly into our throat, how can we not side with Beautiful Country?"
Cui Yanlin argued loudly, which had been Temasek's position in the past.
Because Temasek was sandwiched between Jawa and Johor, it couldn't even be self-sufficient in freshwater and needed Johor's supply, constantly at risk of being annexed, making it crucial to rely on Beautiful Country using the Malacca Strait as a form of protection fee.
Given the vast distance, Beautiful Country had no interest in annexing their territory.
As such, half of Temasek's airport was exclusively used by the Beautiful Country Air Force, all ports in Temasek could dock Beautiful Country's navy without prior notice, and Beautiful Country had deployed several warships in Temasek, even aircraft carriers would dock there for resupply.
Through Temasek, Beautiful Country indirectly controlled this maritime traffic hub, sustaining their maritime hegemony, and would relentlessly combat any other country eyeing Temasek, providing security guarantees.
"By acting so recklessly, now that Jieke Group's massive forces are pressing in, what shall we do? Are we going to declare war on Jieke Group? Can you defeat their air force, navy, or army, or block those Spider Main Battle Mechas and Genetic Warriors? Don't drag our entire nation into the abyss just to please Beautiful Country."
Min Bochen spoke harshly, being a president who rose from the neutral faction, he was keenly aware of the consequences of offending the Jieke Group.
"We are members of the Thousand Island Strategic Alliance, and we have the protection of Beautiful Country, Jieke Group won't mess around."
Cui Yanlin, who organized the cargo ship crashing into the Kra Isthmus Bridge Canal Pier, closely cooperated with the CIA of Beautiful Country in doing so.
Being a spokesperson of Beautiful Country's interests in Temasek, he naturally leaned towards supporting Beautiful Country.
"The Thousand Island Strategic Alliance, Johor is also a member, what have they done? They were the first to capitulate to Jieke Group, actively inviting Jieke Group's troops through their territory, letting them come and strike us. Can they be trusted?"
Min Bochen raised a newspaper, with news written on it about Johor allowing Jieke Group's army to pass through.
Cui Yanlin's face darkened, replied, "Johor is just an exception, the Thousand Island Strategic Alliance isn't just composed of them, at least Beautiful Country will still ."
"You mention Beautiful Country, just now there was news that, unless absolutely necessary, they asked us to resolve this incident ourselves."
Min Bochen glanced coldly at Cui Yanlin, with a touch of sarcasm.
"Impossible, how could Beautiful Country do such a thing? If Jieke Group really takes action, Beautiful Country would definitely without reservation, even deploying aircraft carriers if necessary."
Hearing this, Cui Yanlin looked incredulous.
"That's right, how could Beautiful Country abandon us."
"How important is the Malacca Strait to Beautiful Country, they could never just ignore it."