The U.S. Secretary of War, the Honorable Pete Hegseth, and the Minister of Defense of Malaysia, the Honorable Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, held bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus on October 30, 2025.
Secretary Hegseth thanked Malaysia for its leadership as Chair of ASEAN and for its positive role in supporting President Trump's efforts in mediating a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. Minister Khaled welcomed the U.S. commitment to support observer teams comprised of ASEAN member security forces.
The Secretary and Minister recognized the strength of defense cooperation between the United States and Malaysia as a fundamental pillar of the U.S.-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation today solidifies over 40 years of bilateral defense ties and a shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity. They also announced the renewal of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement and committed to finalize bilateral agreements on communications, information sharing, and geospatial matters. Both leaders underscored their commitment to addressing evolving challenges involving cybersecurity, maritime security, terrorism, and violent extremism.
The Secretary and Minister reinforced their commitment to regional peace and stability through continued cooperation on shared security challenges. The Secretary and Minister agreed the South China Sea is a vital maritime corridor linking the region with the rest of the world, where respect for sovereignty is imperative. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security in the South China Sea. The Minister noted that grey-zone tactics, such as hydrographic research conducted under the protection of foreign coast guard vessels, threaten sovereignty and are a clear provocation and threat. The Secretary and Minister reiterated the importance of communication and dialogue to prevent military miscalculation, while also pursuing modernization and interoperability to ensure military readiness.
Both officials recognized the breadth and depth of defense cooperation between the United States and Malaysia, reflected in extensive joint training, regular exercises, and robust professional exchanges. They highlighted the 14 bilateral and multilateral exercises that the United States and Malaysia conduct together, noting the recent joint long-range precision live fire of U.S. HIMARS and Malaysian ASTROS in the Straits of Malacca. The Secretary and Minister also acknowledged the 300 Malaysian officials who attend military training and professional development in the United States each year, as well as regular ship visits and other military engagements, including the annual Malaysia-U.S. Strategic Talks and the Bilateral Training and Consultative Group.
The Secretary and Minister looked forward to meeting again next year at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.