Malaysia has called on the United States to strengthen defence cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), stressing that regional unity, mutual respect and an inclusive approach must remain at the heart of the partnership.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said a stronger and more resilient Asean would create a solid foundation for deeper cooperation with Washington while helping safeguard peace, security and stability across Southeast Asia.
Speaking at the Asean-United States Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday, Nov 28, Mohamed Khaled welcomed Washington’s continued engagement in the region and expressed hope that the United States would play an increasingly constructive role in addressing shared security challenges.
He reaffirmed Malaysia’s willingness to work closely with Washington, describing the country as a reliable partner committed to advancing common interests while respecting the region’s priorities.
“The United States can count on Malaysia as a reliable and constructive partner in advancing our shared interests,” he said.
The meeting was attended by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and defence ministers from Asean member states, providing an opportunity for regional leaders to discuss cooperation and the evolving security landscape.
Mohamed Khaled said Malaysia valued its longstanding relationship with the United States and recognised Washington’s contributions to defence and security cooperation in the region. He noted that both sides had opportunities to build on this relationship through established platforms, particularly the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
Joint military exercises, capacity-building programmes and professional exchanges have helped improve coordination between defence forces, strengthen mutual confidence and enhance their ability to respond to common security concerns. According to the minister, the next stage should focus not only on operational cooperation but also on building deeper trust and understanding between defence institutions.
He acknowledged that Malaysia and the United States might not always see every issue from the same perspective. However, he said their longstanding friendship and mutual respect offered a strong basis for maintaining constructive engagement despite differences.
A central message from Malaysia was that closer defence ties with the United States should go hand in hand with respect for Asean’s unity and centrality. As Southeast Asia occupies an increasingly important position in the Indo-Pacific, Mohamed Khaled said a peaceful, stable and united Asean remained essential to the interests of both regional countries and Washington.
He highlighted the principles that have shaped Asean’s approach over several decades, including dialogue, mutual respect, peaceful dispute resolution and practical cooperation. These principles, reflected in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and the Asean Charter, have helped countries with different political systems, national interests and viewpoints work together while maintaining regional stability.
Malaysia also emphasised that Asean’s approach to international relations is not about choosing sides between major powers. Instead, it is about preserving the peace, independence and stability that have supported the region’s development and economic progress.
“This approach should be respected and supported by all our partners,” Mohamed Khaled said.
He encouraged the United States to continue engaging with Asean as a collective partner rather than focusing solely on individual bilateral relationships. Strengthening the bloc’s unity and resilience, he said, would help reinforce the foundations of regional security, stability and prosperity.
Malaysia remains committed to expanding defence cooperation with the United States through bilateral initiatives and Asean-led platforms. Mohamed Khaled also expressed anticipation for the United States-Asean Framework on Defence Cooperation next year, describing continued engagement as an important opportunity to advance shared objectives.
Ultimately, Malaysia’s message is that effective defence cooperation must deliver more than stronger military capabilities. It should build lasting trust, respect regional differences and contribute meaningfully to peace and security throughout Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific.
As geopolitical competition continues to shape international relations, Malaysia’s position highlights the importance of working with global partners without compromising Asean’s collective voice. For the region, lasting security will depend not only on defence partnerships but also on the willingness of nations to maintain dialogue, respect one another’s interests and protect the stability that allows their people and economies to thrive.
