KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Malaysia and the United States today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on a Defence Cooperation Agreement for the first time, marking an important step in strengthening defence and security ties between the two countries.
The signing took place after a bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, held in conjunction with the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus, which will be held here from tomorrow to November 2.
Khaled said the MOU formalises a defence cooperation that was previously conducted on an informal basis through joint exercises, officer exchanges, and capability-building initiatives under US programmes.
“Previously, we did not have a specific, formal, and structured framework. With this agreement, we can better coordinate and ensure our cooperation goes smoothly and meets the country’s defence needs,” he told reporters after the signing.
He said the agreement, which lasts five years, focuses on officer exchanges, training opportunities, and assistance to strengthen defence capabilities.
The defence minister also said Malaysia’s approach to strengthening national defence relies on two key elements — adequate government funding for military readiness and the effective use of defence diplomacy.
“Defence diplomacy does not mean we are accepting handouts. It is a joint effort among nations to strengthen each other’s defence capabilities. The more effective our diplomacy is, the more partner countries will want to collaborate with us,” he said, describing the agreement as a highly effective form of defence diplomacy.
Khaled added that he appreciates the participation of the US, China, and other countries in ADMM-Plus, which reaffirms Asean’s role as a trusted platform for dialogue, even amid differing perspectives among regional and global powers.
“ADMM-Plus remains a credible platform where countries, whether aligned or otherwise, can share views and work together to ensure that this region remains peaceful, secure, and open for navigation,” he said.
He said Malaysia has various defence agreements with many other nations, and such cooperation is crucial for a small country facing increasingly complex regional security challenges.
“We are a small country that may not be able to face major challenges alone. The presence and cooperation of other nations help us maintain balance and stability in the region,” he said.
The 19th ADMM and 12th ADMM-Plus meetings will be held from tomorrow to November 2, with participation from eight dialogue partners — the US, Russia, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
