MALAYSIA has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defence collaboration with ASEAN member states and dialogue partners under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework, highlighting the importance of strategic dialogue to complement practical cooperation in ensuring regional peace and security.
The assurance was conveyed during the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting-Plus (ADSOM-Plus) 2025, chaired by Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali in Desaru, Kota Tinggi, on Wednesday.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) today, Malaysia emphasised the shared values of unity, inclusivity, security and sustainability as guiding principles for regional stability and prosperity.
“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 attended as an observer,” the statement read.
Delegates reviewed the progress of all seven Expert Working Groups (EWGs) for the 2024–2027 cycle. These include key areas of cooperation such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber defence, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), military medicine, peacekeeping operations, and humanitarian mine action.
MINDEF described the meeting as a key milestone in the lead-up to the ADMM-Plus summit scheduled for 1 November.
Now in its 15th year, the ADMM-Plus remains a cornerstone of regional defence diplomacy, reinforcing the principle of ASEAN Centrality as the foundation for multilateral security engagement.
“Malaysia remains steadfast in promoting peace and prosperity through cooperation within this framework,” MINDEF stated. - September 26, 2025
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