Desaru: Malaysia reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ASEAN member and its plus countries to emphasise the importance of strategic dialogue in complementing and completing practical cooperation under the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a statement today, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) stated that this is in line with the spirit of unity, inclusivity, security, and sustainability for the peace and prosperity of the region. The commitment was conveyed at the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials Meeting-Plus (ADSOM-Plus) 2025, chaired by Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali in Desaru, Kota Tinggi, yesterday.

The meeting brought together Defence Senior Officials from all ten ASEAN member states and eight plus countries, along with representatives from the ASEAN secretariat. Timor-Leste participated as an observer. The meeting reviewed the progress of all seven Expert Working Groups (EWGs) for the 2024-2027 cycle, which covered areas such as maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, military medicine, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian mine action, and cybersecurity.

MINDEF also highlighted that the meeting was highly significant as part of the preparations for the ADMM-Plus to be held on Nov 1. It said the 15-year journey of the ADMM-Plus since its establishment once again underscores the principle of ASEAN Centrality as the foundation and platform for regional defence cooperation.