Malaysia’s defence minister calls for ASEAN to evolve beyond traditional military cooperation to tackle cyberattacks and misinformation.
KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting must evolve beyond traditional military cooperation to address emerging and non-traditional threats that transcend borders and dimensions.
Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated modern-day security challenges such as cyberattacks, misinformation and digital manipulation now pose as great a danger as territorial disputes.
He emphasised that ASEAN must adopt technological foresight, cybersecurity collaboration and shared innovation to counter these evolving threats.
“Whether on land, at sea or in cyberspace, we cannot afford to ignore any front of our security anymore,” he said in his opening remarks at the 19th ADMM.
Mohamed Khaled warned that powerful non-state actors wield technology as a weapon to disrupt societies, topple governments and undermine critical infrastructure.
“If we fail to invest against these threats, we fail to secure our future,” he told defence ministers and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
He noted ASEAN’s growing convening power demonstrates the international community’s trust and confidence in the bloc’s neutral and inclusive approach to regional security.
The minister highlighted ASEAN’s two enduring strengths as its internal unity and external openness that enable it to remain a credible host for regional security.
Mohamed Khaled expressed appreciation to Thailand and Cambodia for entrusting Malaysia to help facilitate peaceful resolution of their border dispute.
He also thanked other ASEAN member states and partners including the United States for their continued support in this effort.
“I urge all ASEAN nations to not only support this peaceful effort but also to facilitate and expedite the formation of the ASEAN Observer Team,” he said.
The minister emphasised that this border matter represents more than just territorial concerns for the regional bloc.
“It is a testament of ASEAN’s reputation and ability to garner confidence and resolve conflicts peacefully,” Mohamed Khaled added.
He reaffirmed that ASEAN Centrality must remain the region’s guiding principle anchored on collective commitment to always place ASEAN’s interests above all else.
Mohamed Khaled stated that only by standing together can ASEAN remain strong and undivided while maintaining its position as the principal platform for dialogue.
The 19th ADMM and the 12th ADMM-Plus Meeting are being held until November 2 with participation from eight Plus Dialogue Partner countries.
These partner countries include the United States, Russia, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. – Bernama
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