Malaysia Maintains Neutrality Despite Military Exercises With US, Australia

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia maintains its stance as a neutral country in international defence relations despite conducting military exercises with the United States (US) and Australia through Exercise Keris Strike 25 (KrS25) and Warrior 2025.

Malaysia’s Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari described the principle of neutrality as the cornerstone of the country’s defence policy, with Malaysia also conducting military exercises with China and its ASEAN partners to strengthen operational capability and regional ties.

“We also have training cooperation with China, as well as in the ASEAN context. That’s why we use and leverage these exercises as part of our bilateral and multilateral exercises, and our principle of neutrality will remain,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

He added that these multilateral exercises also provided space for the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to strengthen interoperability with foreign military forces through mastery of international tactics, techniques and standard procedures, as well as strengthening regional and global defence relations.

“The implementation of Exercise KrS25, which was participated in by Australia and the US, as well as the joint organisation of Warrior 2025, proved Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening aspects of security and defence readiness with strategic partners, including improving interoperability, operational capabilities and combat preparedness,” he said.

Adly said Malaysia will continue to expand participation in multilateral and bilateral exercises, increase strategic information sharing and strengthen defence relations with friendly countries through memoranda of understanding, regional security forums and strategic programmes.

-- BERNAMA