On 25 May 2023, the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur hosted a panel of local experts in a discussion on “Malaysian Perspectives: The Indo-Pacific, AUKUS and Malaysia’s National Security” at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The panelists were Mr. Thomas Daniel of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia; Dr. Hazmi Rusli of the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia; and Dr. Su Wai Mon of the Universiti Malaya.

This activity sought to provide a platform for diverse and emerging voices in Malaysia to share their insights on the subject and to provide a space for exchanges between Malaysian experts and select members of the diplomatic community.

The Indo-Pacific is a region of profound strategic and economic significance for ASEAN nations and their regional partners, hosting emerging security arrangements such as the enhanced trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK and the United States, or “AUKUS”.

While the region has witnessed competition and rivalry among states in security, economic and technological arenas, it also presents new opportunities for enhanced cooperation among states to address domestic and transnational threats.

As neighbors in maritime Southeast Asia and founding members of ASEAN, both the Philippines and Malaysia have affirmed their commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

For the Philippines, the Indo-Pacific is one area for the pursuit of priority agenda in national development, such as green technology and renewable energy and cooperation in climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation, agriculture, food security, and boosting the resilience and security of trade supply chains.

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles C. Jose stressed that the Philippines remains deeply invested in the region’s security and committed to upholding the rule of law in its security engagements, while leaning on the central and strategic role of ASEAN in the regional security architecture.

He reiterated that the Philippines views developments in the Indo-Pacific in the context of assurances made at the highest levels that security arrangements, such as AUKUS, will contribute to the preservation of regional peace and stability in an international rules-based order.

He also echoed President Marcos’ statement that as the Philippines works to enhance its defense capabilities and over-all defense posture, the Philippines is for peace and stability in the region.

Select diplomatic missions in Kuala Lumpur and representatives from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Defense (MINDEF), National Security Council (NSC) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) attended the event.

This activity is the first of a series of engagements that the Philippine Embassy intends to host on maritime security and the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.

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