Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Australia have reiterated their serious concern over developments in the South China Sea and the need for all States to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a joint statement released after the 5th Malaysia-Australia High Level Committee (HLC) Meeting, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles noted that maritime claims must be consistent with UNCLOS. The ministers expressed serious concern about developments in the South China Sea that undermine peace, security, and stability in the region, citing dangerous and unprofessional actions at sea and in the air, as well as excessive maritime claims inconsistent with international law.
The statement emphasised the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with UNCLOS, which provides the comprehensive legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas. Both ministers reaffirmed the need for all States to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.
Mohamed Khaled and Marles also reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture that is open, transparent, rules-based, and inclusive. They acknowledged the value of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and its Experts' Working Groups as a means for confidence building and conflict prevention, as well as capacity building.
The joint statement highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN), and the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ). On the HLC meeting, both ministers reaffirmed their deep defence cooperation and shared commitment to safeguarding regional stability.
The meeting marked several milestones, including the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, when the Malaysia-Australia defence partnership was first forged, the 75th anniversary of Australia's assistance during the Emergency, and the 70th anniversary of Australia's diplomatic presence in Malaysia. Both ministers emphasized the importance of Operation Gateway, which has contributed to regional security for more than 45 years, and pledged to further strengthen the initiative to enhance interoperability and safeguard security in an increasingly complex regional environment.
The joint statement also reiterated their commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) as a key pillar of regional security. Australia anticipates Malaysia hosting Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2025, with the United Kingdom hosting an FPDA VVIP Day onboard HMS Prince of Wales on September 27, 2025. The involvement of 5th generation assets in Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2025, including Australia's F-35 Lightning IIs, participating for a second year, demonstrates a shared commitment to regional security.
Finally, the joint statement mentioned Mohamed Khaled's appreciation to Australia for supporting the infrastructure upgrade and runway refurbishment at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Butterworth Air Base.