KUALA LUMPUR: Regional peace, security and stability must be achieved through dialogue and multilateral cooperation, says Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein.

       The Defence Minister, in his keynote speech at the Putrajaya Forum 2022 in conjunction with Defence Services Asia 2022 (DSA), added that disputes taking place in the region, which includes the South China Sea, must be addressed without compromising regional security and stability.

       “Though we are in the business of defence and security, de-escalating a high-stakes situation is a task in itself.

       “A task that we must put above all else lest we risk compromising the peace and stability in the region,” he said in the forum themed "Shared Regional Responsibility" on Tuesday (March 29).

       Hishamuddin added that issues relating to the South China Sea must be tackled through established international laws and conventions that will enhance mutual trust and confidence of the region.

       “The theme of today’s forum is therefore apt. The South China Sea is ultimately a region of shared responsibility, a region that we in Asean are collectively responsible for. Malaysia’s position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent.

       “Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, through established international laws and conventions, all parties must work together to increase efforts to build, maintain and enhance mutual trust and confidence so that we can maintain peace, security and stability in the South China Sea,” he added.

       Addressing the situation between Ukraine and Russia, the Senior Minister said that all parties involved should immediately de-escalate tension to maintain global peace and security.

       Hishamuddin said the international community could also learn from how Asean continuously strikes a balance between the East and West to ensure stability.

       “We in Asean have continuously sought to strike a balance, to bring together both East and West in navigating the complex dynamics and relations in our region.

       “This is primarily achieved by establishing formal dialogue with our partners collectively – entering any discussion as a single, united bloc of 10 nations.

       “There is truth to the saying we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided,” he said, while also urging the United Nations Security Council to play its role in maintaining peace and security among the parties involved.

       The Putrajaya Forum comprises three sessions on regional security cooperation, the evolution of civil-military cooperation and also the role of social media in wars and conflicts.

       Dignitaries and speakers involved include Singapore Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, Philippines National Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and military officials from several countries.