Malaysia Strengthens Regional Defence Cooperation, ASEAN Stability

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s participation in the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu, the Philippines, reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional defence cooperation and upholding ASEAN Centrality.

Throughout the meetings and working visit, which began on Oct 27, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin reiterated Malaysia’s position that ASEAN must retain the freedom to determine its own direction without being drawn into rivalries among major powers.

During the main ADMM session, he stressed the urgent need for member states to develop stronger, better-coordinated and more effective regional disaster response capabilities to address increasingly complex non-traditional security threats.

Citing ASEAN’s response to the earthquake in Myanmar last year, he said mechanisms such as the ASEAN Military Ready Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (AMRG on HADR) should be further strengthened to ensure rapid operational readiness.

“As the ADMM enters its third decade, we must be prepared to do more than just address new threats with old approaches. Peace and stability in ASEAN cannot be taken for granted,” he said at the meeting.

Malaysia’s position on preserving ASEAN unity and Centrality was also conveyed during informal meetings between ASEAN defence ministers and their counterparts from the United States (US) and Japan.

During a meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Mohamed Khaled welcomed Washington’s commitment to regional cooperation and expressed anticipation for the US-ASEAN Defence Cooperation Framework in 2027.

However, he stressed that Malaysia’s approach was not to take sides but to prioritise regional peace and stability.

In a separate meeting with Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, he called for more flexible and integrated cooperation through the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups (EWGs) to address emerging challenges, including cybersecurity, climate change and artificial intelligence (AI).

While welcoming assistance and technology transfers from Japan, Mohamed Khaled emphasised that ASEAN’s ultimate objective should be to strengthen its self-reliance and avoid long-term dependence on external assistance.

He also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Vietnam and the Philippines, including Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., to discuss maritime security and adherence to international law.

In his first meeting with South Korean Minister of National Defence Kang Shin-Chul since the latter’s appointment in September, Mohamed Khaled explored opportunities for cooperation in developing the defence industries of both countries.

Malaysia also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting fellow ASEAN member Laos during a meeting with Lao Minister of National Defence General Khamlieng Outhakaisone.

Mohamed Khaled assured Laos of Malaysia’s continued assistance in strengthening the capacity of the Lao Armed Forces through the Malaysia Defence Cooperation Programme (MDCP).

He also commended Laos for successfully preparing the Guide to ADMM and ADMM-Plus Practices and Protocols, which was endorsed at the meeting.

Mohamed Khaled arrived at Mactan-Cebu International Airport last Tuesday and was received by Philippine Department of National Defence Undersecretary for Information Systems and Cyber Security Major General (Rtd) Fabian Mactal Pedregosa.

Also accompanying the minister on the working visit were Ministry of Defence Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali and Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony.

-- BERNAMA