PUTRAJAYA – The leaders of Malaysia and Japan have agreed to accelerate the implementation and coordination of Official Security Assistance (OSA) between the two countries to enable them to intensify strategic communication.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hailed the move as a significant diplomatic development. He said it underscored a mutual commitment that marks a pivotal reference point in the partnership between the two nations.
He stressed that security and defence cooperation will be enhanced after his Malaysian counterpart and host Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the agreement.
“Moreover, mutual consensus has been reached on enhancing cooperation in the maritime domain, with plans for joint exercises involving coast guard agencies to fortify collaborative efforts,” Kishida said.
Kishida, who is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, was addressing a press conference with Anwar at Kompleks Seri Perdana in Putrajaya today.
The sea route between the two countries, which is heavily used for trade, mostly runs through the South China Sea, which is being claimed by China.
Kishida emphasised the importance of upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law amid the current regional and global situation.
“Concerning the East and South China Seas issue, any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force is not tolerated,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Japan launched its OSA framework in April this year. It is aimed at raising the security capabilities of developing countries with the beneficiaries being military forces.
The new OSA framework, first announced in last December’s revised National Security Strategy, was initially aimed to provide equipment, supplies and infrastructure development assistance to partner countries, mostly in the Asia-Pacific.
FDI to exceed RM30 billion
Kishida also touched on Japan’s responses to North Korea, including on the issues of nuclear weapons, missiles and abduction, as well as the Myanmar situation. He said close cooperation with Malaysia will be continued on these matters.
Kishida’s inaugural two-day visit to Malaysia from yesterday coincides with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation this year.
Malaysia and Japan upgraded their ties from an enhanced partnership to a strategic partnership in 2015, when Kishida had visited as foreign minister.
For eight successive years since 2015, Japan has been Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner. In 2022, trade with Japan was valued at RM181.51 billion (US$4.21 billion), contributing to 6.4% of Malaysia’s total trade.
As of June 2023, a total of 2,778 projects by Japanese companies have been implemented in Malaysia, with investments amounting to RM91.89 billion (US$27.43 billion).
Meanwhile, Anwar expressed optimism that foreign direct investments (FDI) from Japan will exceed RM30 billion (US$6.33 billion) this year.
He said that this signifies Japanese investors’ unwavering confidence towards Malaysia.
“This is very impressive (coming) from (Japanese) companies that are already investing in Malaysia, which, without exception, have made the commitment to increase and expand into Malaysia,” he said at the joint press conference. – The Vibes, November 5, 2023
