Malaysia, 16 Other Nations Launch Guide To Safeguard Critical Underwater Infrastructure

By Anas Abu Hassan

SINGAPORE, May 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, together with Singapore and 15 other countries, on Saturday launched Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges (GUIDE), a framework for the security of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI).

Held on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), the launch brings together countries with common interests in the security of CUI.

Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said GUIDE is a framework of shared principles that opens up space for closer cooperation between participating countries in efforts to strengthen the security of CUI, which is increasingly important to communication, trade, and global stability.

"Malaysia's participation reflects the country's commitment to continue playing a constructive role in strengthening defence cooperation and addressing security challenges that cross regional and national borders," he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said ocean floors now contain CUI that connects energy and telecommunications grid, adding that any disruption on one part of the network could disrupt the entire network.

"That is why it gives us great joy to see so many countries – from Europe to the Middle East to Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific – coming together," he said in a statement.

GUIDE was also endorsed by Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Qatar, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

-- BERNAMA