KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen has called upon ASEAN member states to strengthen cooperation to combat cyberterrorism in the region.

Speaking to Putrajaya Forum 2022 participants here today, he noted that cyber attacks are a constant threat despite border restrictions due to COVID-19 and multi-lateral efforts by all countries are needed to tackle this issue.

"Despite COVID restrictions, terrorist groups are still active in organising, instigating and conducting attacks including in our region.

"Global terrorist groups have proven resilient and adaptable. They have kept their recruitment and radicalisation strategy and are exploiting cyber space to great effects," he said in his presentation at the forum.

Dr Ng's session, titled 'Broadening Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific : Prospects and Possibilities', was also joined by the Philippines' National Defence Secretary Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana as the second panellist.

Putrajaya Forum 2022 runs concurrently with the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition and National Security Conference Asia (Natsec) 2022, which started yesterday and will end on Thursday.

Dr Ng suggested that while each country must be able to make decisions based on their own interest to address this cross-border threat, there are shared mechanisms to address transnational challenges, to de-escalate tensions and mitigate adverse consequences.

-- BERNAMA