KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia, TDM) has declared its readiness to participate in international peacekeeping missions if required, including a potential deployment to Gaza, Palestine.

Army Chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said Malaysia has a proven track record in peacekeeping operations, having taken part in numerous missions since the 1960s.

“The Malaysian Army stands ready to contribute if the government decides such involvement is necessary.
We have been active in peacekeeping missions since 1960, starting in Congo and later in Somalia, Bosnia, and Cambodia,” he said during the closing ceremony of the 14th Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 49th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS), and the 11th Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) 2025, held here today.

Also present was United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Commander, General Ronald Clark, who co-hosted the event with TDM as the main organiser.

Government Decision Will Be Final

Muhammad Hafizuddeain emphasised that any Malaysian involvement would depend entirely on the government’s decision, alongside a careful assessment of mission effectiveness and safety.

“Our participation will be determined by how the government evaluates its viability and safety. Malaysia is prepared to contribute if called upon.
The assessment will be conducted by the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Joint Forces Headquarters (MAB),” he said.

US Commends Malaysia’s Leadership

Meanwhile, General Clark praised the Malaysian Army for its leadership in hosting the conference, highlighting the recent Exercise Keris Strike as a cornerstone of regional security cooperation.

“The commitment to excellence shown during this conference is clear proof of TDM’s capability in uniting allied nations.
This allows us to build relationships that benefit everyone while strengthening regional stability.
The United States and TDM share a long history of cooperation built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for a safe and secure Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Wide International Participation

The three-day IPACC, IPAMS, and SELF conferences gathered 161 participants, including 12 Army Chiefs from 11 countries and 12 representatives from other nations. Discussions focused on “Transformations in Partnerships and Training”, running from 23 to 26 September.

Apart from Malaysia and the United States, other participating countries included Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Mongolia, Indonesia, India, Fiji, Singapore, Tonga, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, the Philippines, South Korea, and several others.