Asean reaffirms 'no nukes' stance, says Defence Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean reaffirms its no nuclear stance, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

“I had given my views on this yesterday but to repeat, for the Asean region we have stated that it should be nuclear weapon free.

"And as a country, Malaysia, I hope that any weapon that can destroy mankind, or can affect mankind should be curtailed,” the Defence Minister said at a press conference after the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

He added that any country that wishes to engage with Asean nations on the matter must respect this stance.

Earlier Saturday (Nov 1), United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, when asked to comment on President Donald Trump stating that the country would resume nuclear testing, said that such testing was “only prudent”.

"Testing these capabilities is considered 'only prudent’," he told reporters before attending the Asean-US Defence Ministers' High-Tea on Saturday.