Strong Asean Economic Necessity, Strategic Imperative - M'sia's Defence Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has always been consistent in championing the idea that a strong and successful Asean is not only an economic necessity but also a strategic imperative. Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said since its inception, Malaysia had never been involved in any major conflict with any Asean member. "We believe that a strong Asean is a stabilising influence in the region. Indeed, many nations have now come to realise the importance of Asean and have moved to engage it," he said. Hishammuddin said this in his speech on 'Regional Security Architecture: Current Status and Prospects' at the 5th Xiangshan Forum organised by the Chinese Asssociation for Military Science in Beijing, China Friday. His text speech was sent to Bernama via email. Hishammuddin said Asean members must and will stand united on several key defence issues, adding that the 10-member regional grouping would not be pulled in different directions. According to the defence minister, there was a pressing need to establish a clear communication channel between Asean nations and "those powers that wish to engage us". "Major powers must sincerely understand us. They must prioritise the security of the region in its entirety and not just think along sovereign lines," he stressed. Hishammuddin said as the balance of the world's strategic and economic weight shifted towards Asia, a robust regional security architecture that could accommodate all stakeholders and rising aspirations was also vital in making Asean strong and successful. This was because relationships marked by strategic rivalry and uncertainty increased the risks of friction and conflict, which could have devastating consequences on the global economy, he noted. On South China Sea issue, Hishammuddin said, like many Southeast Asians, he was also concerned about it. "Inflamed rhetoric and mutual recrimination will not do any country any good. "This issue requires a solution driven by mutul respect and trust. It will take time, but I am confident, with patience, collective wisdom and a lot of courage, we will find a way forward," he added. On the forum, he believed it could emerge as a top level forum on contemporary defence and security issues. -- BERNAMA