US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth offers ASEAN assistance with South China Sea security during ADMM-Plus meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States has expressed its readiness to assist ASEAN in addressing various security challenges in the region, particularly in the South China Sea.
Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the offer was made by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus held here today.
Mohamed Khaled said ASEAN has taken note of the offer and welcomed the US commitment, but stressed that any form of cooperation must be guided by ASEAN’s principles and its continued commitment to peace and prosperity in the region.
He emphasised that any form of cooperation must be based on collective efforts under the ADMM and ADMM-Plus frameworks.
“We do not deny the challenges we face in the South China Sea, and we appreciate the United States’ commitment to help, but it must be done in the spirit of regional cooperation,” he told a press conference after the meeting.
This year’s ADMM-Plus brought together defence ministers from 11 ASEAN countries and eight key dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Australia and India, to discuss regional security issues and strategic defence cooperation.
According to Mohamed Khaled, the US also emphasised that it will continue to play an active role as a Pacific nation and support ASEAN’s efforts to maintain regional stability.
Meanwhile, on the invitation to the Pentagon from Hegseth, Mohamed Khaled said it was likely aimed at discussing various aspects of defence cooperation between Malaysia and the US, including capacity-building programmes and collaboration in military asset procurement.
He said among the matters expected to be discussed are the need to obtain US approval for certain components of Malaysia’s FA-50 fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft, so that asset delivery can proceed as scheduled.
The visit to the Pentagon will also provide Malaysia with an opportunity to observe first-hand the US capabilities in maritime domain awareness, which can detect activities within regional waters.
Mohamed Khaled noted that one of America’s strengths lies in its ability to monitor maritime areas, adding that Malaysia can consider how such information could be shared and utilised for national security interests.
He further clarified that an invitation to him to visit the Pentagon was not made at his personal request, but was extended by the US, and that this would depend on Cabinet approval.
In a post on social media platform X yesterday, Hegseth expressed his pleasure at welcoming Mohamed Khaled to the Pentagon next year. – Bernama
