Mohamed Khaled delivers his remarks during the opening session of the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct 31, 2025. — Reuters
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysia called on Oct 31 for fellow members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations to extend their security partnerships from the high seas to cyberspace at an annual meeting of the bloc's defense ministers.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin opened the meeting by warning that regional peace faces growing pressure from both traditional and emerging threats, including rising tensions in the South China Sea and the spread of cyberattacks that can "disrupt societies, topple governments and undermine critical infrastructure”.
"Threats today transcend borders and dimensions,” he said. "We see the challenges in the South China Sea. But we must also recognise that our digital realm is equally at risk. The threats that test our networks and systems may be invisible, but just as dangerous as those threatening our maritime zones."
Asean defense ministers will hold talks Saturday with dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea and Russia. Among those attending are US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who arrived late Wednesday, and his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.
Khaled also urged all Asean nations to expedite the formation of an Asean observer team to support Thailand and Cambodia in resolving their border crisis. The two nations inked an expanded ceasefire pact on Sunday, witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trumpand Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is this year's Asean chair.
Khaled also reiterated Asean’s commitment to support a peaceful resolution of the civil war in Myanmar,saying the bloc remains determined to help the country "return to its rightful place in Asean.”
Myanmar military government leaders have been barred from Asean meetings after failing to comply with the bloc’s 2021 Five-Point Consensuson peace and dialogue.
Myanmar has been gripped by conflict since a military takeover in 2021 ousted its elected government, sparking widespread resistance and international condemnation. – AP
