Malaysia-Australia to continue enhancing defence cooperation

Mohamed Khaled said the decision was made at the 4th Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Programme (MAJDP) High-Level Committee (HLC) Meeting, which was co-chaired by him and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles at the Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Melbourne yesterday.

According to Mohamed Khaled, other matters discussed at the meeting included existing defence ties, including through Operation Gateway, exercises such as HARINGAROO and Keris Strike as well as the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

"Both countries appreciate each other's contributions in the context of strengthening existing cooperation," he said in a statement here today.

In addition, Mohamed Khaled informed that at the meeting, the two countries also discussed the development of cyber clusters, which is seen as important nowadays.

He said issues related to geopolitical and defence developments in ASEAN and around the world were also discussed in the meeting as Malaysia is finalising preparations as the ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

"Australia recognises the role played by Malaysia in mapping ASEAN which is seen to be functioning quite well and the country will always pay attention to it," he said.

Mohamed Khaled said both countries would also ensure that cooperation plans, especially in the five-year plan ahead, were streamlined to be more structured and organised, including in terms of enhancing maritime domain capabilities and developing Malaysia's defence capacity.

Mohamed Khaled has been in Australia since Dec 9 for a two-day official working visit to strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries.

-- BERNAMA