KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called on the United States to deepen defence cooperation with Asean while respecting the regional bloc's unity, centrality and inclusive approach to international relations.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said a stronger and more resilient Asean would provide a firmer foundation for deeper and more meaningful cooperation with Washington.
He said Malaysia welcomed continued US engagement in South-East Asia and hoped to see Washington play an even stronger and more constructive role in promoting regional peace, security and stability.
"The United States can count on Malaysia as a reliable and constructive partner in advancing our shared interests," he said in his remarks at the Asean-United States Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in Cebu, Philippines on Wednesday (Nov 28).
Also present were US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Asean defence ministers.
Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia valued its longstanding relationship with the United States and recognised its significant contributions to regional defence and security cooperation.
He said both sides could further strengthen their partnership through existing mechanisms, including the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus.
Joint exercises, capacity-building initiatives and professional military exchanges had helped improve interoperability, build mutual confidence and strengthen the collective ability to respond to shared security challenges, he added.
He said the next step was to expand cooperation beyond operational capabilities by deepening trust and understanding between defence establishments.
Mohamed Khaled acknowledged that Malaysia and the United States might not always share the same perspectives on every issue but said their longstanding friendship and mutual respect provided a strong foundation for continued cooperation.
He stressed that preserving Asean unity and centrality must remain a key consideration as the regional partnership developed.
Southeast Asia's strategic position in the Indo-Pacific meant that a peaceful, stable and united Asean was in the interests of both its member states and the United States, he said.
Mohamed Khaled said Asean had spent decades building a regional framework based on dialogue, mutual respect, the peaceful settlement of disputes and cooperation.
These principles, reflected in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and the Asean Charter, had enabled countries with different political systems, interests and perspectives to coexist and prosper.
He said Asean's approach was not about choosing sides, but about preserving the peace and stability that had enabled the region to prosper.
"This approach should be respected and supported by all our partners," he said.
Mohamed Khaled also encouraged Washington to continue investing in Asean as a collective partner, adding that strengthening the bloc's unity and resilience would reinforce the foundations of regional stability, security and prosperity.
He said Malaysia remained committed to strengthening defence ties with the United States, both bilaterally and through Asean-led mechanisms.
Malaysia also looked forward to the United States-Asean Framework on Defence Cooperation next year, he added.
He said the partnership should ultimately be measured not only by its achievements but also by its contribution to peace, stability and resilience across the wider region.
