Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and Cambodia are committed to further strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in defence and security, while contributing to ASEAN's collective resilience. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin expressed this commitment during his courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the discussions between the two leaders included efforts to finalise the Malaysia-Cambodia Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU is expected to serve as a crucial framework for expanding and strengthening defence collaboration between the two countries. Both nations also emphasized the significance of ASEAN centrality, dialogue, and regional mechanisms in addressing security challenges, such as ongoing efforts towards peace and stability along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Mohamed Khaled highlighted Malaysia's continued support for the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) mechanism and peaceful resolutions through dialogue and negotiations. Both sides also discussed the importance of finalising the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea to ensure continued peace, stability, and a rules-based order.
The Defence Minister further mentioned that Malaysia and Cambodia are committed to strengthening defence cooperation in emerging areas, including jungle warfare training, the defence industry, artificial intelligence (AI), and drone technology. Mohamed Khaled also met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Tea Seiha to exchange views on the increasingly complex regional security landscape.
In a separate statement, Mohamed Khaled expressed hope that the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand would be maintained. Despite Malaysia not being the ASEAN Chair this year, the country's commitment to supporting peace and stability in the region remains steadfast. He welcomed the progress of the Malaysia-Cambodia Defence Cooperation MoU, which is nearing its final stage, and hopes that it can be signed during the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) in the Philippines soon.
Mohamed Khaled is optimistic that the strengthened cooperation will further enhance Malaysia-Cambodia relations ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2027. Before his visit to Cambodia, Mohamed Khaled led the Malaysian delegation on an official working visit to Vietnam, where he met with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and held bilateral talks with Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang.
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry (MINDEF) stated that the two-day official visit to Cambodia reflects Malaysia's commitment to strengthening defence ties with ASEAN member states, in line with the Defence White Paper. According to MINDEF, Mohamed Khaled's working visits to Vietnam and Cambodia are part of the implementation of the Third Pillar of the National Defence Strategy, namely Credible Partnerships, while also reinforcing Malaysia's defence diplomacy at the regional level.
The Malaysian delegation included Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain and Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) of the Defence Ministry Datuk Mohd Yani Daud.