Batu Ferringhi: Enhancing the capacity and capability of ASEAN countries in addressing cyber security threats is among the five key issues to be raised at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) this November.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated that this was one of the outcomes of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat today. The retreat also agreed to discuss the exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation in the defence sector.
He further mentioned that other outcomes to be addressed at ADMM and ADSOM this year include efforts to strengthen coordination and civil-military cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) management. The emphasis is on improving defence industry cooperation among ASEAN countries to drive technological innovation and regional capacity development.
Mohamed Khaled highlighted the importance of enhancing people-to-people relations by organizing a workshop on the future of ADMM and ADMM-Plus. He reiterated these points at a press conference after chairing the ADMM Retreat in Batu Ferringhi.
Elaborating further, Mohamed Khaled said the retreat also upheld ASEAN unity and reinforced ASEAN Centrality in addressing regional security challenges such as maritime security, ensuring the region remained peaceful, stable, and conflict-free. Food security was also discussed as a potential new challenge if not addressed by the bloc.
He noted that all defence priorities proposed by Malaysia as ADMM Chair this year were accepted by all ASEAN member states at the retreat, which was attended by more than 150 delegates from ASEAN member states, including Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Earlier, Malaysia urged ASEAN to strengthen preparedness and cooperation in tackling threats posed by non-state actors and biosecurity risks, enhancing defence against biological warfare, and leveraging AI potential in defence.
Additionally, Malaysia proposed that ASEAN safeguard the region's waters and maritime routes against emerging hybrid threats while emphasizing the importance of strengthening search and rescue (SAR) operations alongside HADR.
The ADMM Retreat was held in conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' Malaysia will host over 300 ASEAN-related meetings, programmes, and summits throughout this year, making it one of the most active chairmanships the country has held. Malaysia previously held the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.