Malaysia calls for cyber defence network for Asean

 

Ismail Sabri Yaakob (left) with military personnel at the armed forces field hospital in Johor. He has proposed a network to link all national cyber defence operation centres of Asean countries. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has proposed that Asean member countries create a regional cyber defence network centre called Asean Cyber Defence Network (ACDN).

Senior minister for defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob said through the initiative, ACDN would link all national cyber defence operation centres of Asean countries to benefit from the members’ cyber defence expertise.

“The initiative will also function as an exchange platform for knowledge and best practices as well as to build confidence and preparedness on issues relating to cyber defence,” he said in a statement after leading the Malaysian delegation to the 15th Asean defence ministers meeting (15th ADMM) held via video conferencing today.

The meeting was chaired by Brunei defence minister II, Major General (R) Awang Halbi Haji Md Yussof, as chairman of ADMM 2021.

The meeting concluded with the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration to celebrate the 15th anniversary of ADMM, in which Asean countries agreed that ADMM continues to be the main platform of multilateral defence cooperation in the region with Asean as the leading entity.

Meanwhile, when joining the Asean-China defence ministers’ informal meeting, which was also held via video conferencing today, Ismail reiterated the stand of Malaysia that even though international laws guarantee the freedom of navigation, the presence of military assets in the South China Sea has the potential to raise tensions.

He said the presence of military assets could cause conflict which could affect regional peace, security and stability.

“Our participation in the meeting signifies the continuous commitment of Malaysia on defence diplomacy through bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation,” he said. - FMT