Malaysia maintains its neutrality in international defence relations despite having conducted military exercises with the US and Australia through Exercise Keris Strike 25 and Warrior 2025, says deputy defence minister Adly Zahari.
He said neutrality was the cornerstone of the country’s defence policy, and that Malaysia had also conducted military exercises with its Asean partners and China to strengthen operational capability and regional ties.
“These exercises are part of our bilateral and multilateral exercises. Our neutrality will remain,” Bernama reported him as saying in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Adly was replying to a supplementary question from Zulkafperi Hanapi (Ind-Tanjung Karang), who asked to what extent trilateral exercises such as KrS25 and Warrior 2025 were in line with Malaysia’s neutrality and independence in the Indo-Pacific region.
In reply to Zulkafperi’s original question on whether the exercises would enhance the country’s defence capability, Adly said Malaysia’s participation proved its commitment to strengthening security and defence readiness with its strategic partners.
He said the exercises also provided space for the armed forces to strengthen interoperability with foreign military forces through the mastery of international tactics, techniques and standard procedures.
“The armed forces leverage these exercises to improve personnel skills through knowledge and expertise building, as well as exposure to technology, equipment and military doctrines.
“Such experiences form the foundation to strengthen the country’s defences with relevance to contemporary threats,” he said.
Adly said Malaysia would continue to expand its participation in such exercises, increase strategic information-sharing and strengthen defence relations with friendly countries.
