SINGAPORE, 31 May 2025 – Malaysia has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to strengthening regional and multilateral defence cooperation during high-level engagements at the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) 2025, held in Singapore. The event saw active participation from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) member states—Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom—as well as ASEAN defence leaders and United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth.

Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, emphasised the importance of deepening defence collaboration through platforms such as the FPDA and ASEAN. He stressed that these long-established partnerships play a pivotal role in safeguarding the stability and security of Southeast Asia and its surrounding regions.

“Malaysia will continue to support and strengthen multilateral cooperation mechanisms like the FPDA and ASEAN, which serve as vital instruments to enhance regional trust, interoperability, and defence readiness,” said the Minister during a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings.

In a separate multilateral dialogue, ASEAN defence ministers, along with Timor-Leste and the United States, engaged in strategic discussions focused on regional security and capacity-building efforts. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth underscored Washington’s enduring commitment to Southeast Asia’s security architecture and reaffirmed the United States’ support for ASEAN-led defence cooperation initiatives.

The session, attended by defence leaders from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, focused on strengthening interoperability, promoting maritime security, and enhancing defence diplomacy amidst evolving regional challenges.

These engagements form part of Malaysia’s broader strategic objective to enhance multilateral defence ties, support peace and stability, and bolster confidence-building among Asia-Pacific nations. Malaysia continues to prioritise inclusive and rules-based cooperation in facing transnational security threats.