Malaysia-Australia Bilateral Meeting Focuses On Trade, Technology And Regional Security - Mohamad

SEREMBAN, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is scheduled to attend the seventh Australia-Malaysia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Sept 11, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields, including trade, education, technology and regional security.

Mohamad said the meeting would also focus on strengthening defence cooperation through the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), a joint defence initiative involving Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, which is regarded as a key pillar of stability and security in the Southeast Asian region.

“During my tenure as Defence Minister, I called for the FPDA to be enhanced and strengthened. We need to promote it more actively as this joint defence mechanism is very important, particularly in the context of security in strategic waters such as the South China Sea.”

“Malaysia also takes part in various exercises under the FPDA every year, and these need to be further enhanced,” he told reporters after attending the Taman Pinggiran Senawang Karnival Kemerdekaan here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysia would voice its views on the issue of resettling political asylum seekers, particularly Australia’s proposal to place them on islands in the Pacific Ocean.

He said Malaysia is of the view that any action concerning refugees should take into account their perspectives, including the option of remaining in Australia, returning to their home country, or being relocated elsewhere.

“Australia is planning to send these asylum seekers to an island in the Pacific Ocean. This is an issue that requires deeper consideration. They left their home countries in search of a better life.

“I will raise this issue at the upcoming meeting and see how Australia responds — whether the refugees will be given the option to stay in Australia, be relocated to an island, or return to their home country, such as Syria, which is now stabilising.”

-- BERNAMA