Kuala lumpur: Malaysia, together with Singapore and 15 other countries, has introduced the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges (GUIDE), a framework aimed at ensuring the security of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI). This initiative was launched on the sidelines of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), uniting nations with a shared interest in the safety of CUI.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia's Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin emphasized that GUIDE represents a set of shared principles fostering collaboration among participating nations. This collaboration aims to enhance the security of CUI, which plays a crucial role in communication, trade, and global stability. The minister highlighted Malaysia's commitment to bolstering defence cooperation and addressing security challenges that transcend regional and national boundaries.

Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing noted the significance of CUI on ocean floors, which connect energy and telecommunications networks. He stressed that any disruption in one part of the network could have widespread impacts, underscoring the importance of the initiative. Minister Chan expressed satisfaction with the participation of numerous countries from Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region.

GUIDE has also received endorsement from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Qatar, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.