ASEAN security must not be compromised by local and seasonal politics - Hishammuddin





KUALA LUMPUR, 18 April (Bernama) -- Politics should not influence the security, stability and standing of countries in the ASEAN region, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said global security outweighed political issues and should not be taken lightly.

"Many things that we do concerning security is dependent on the network of the major defence industry players," he said, adding that it involves many parties, both within the country and overseas.

"It is connected to diplomatic ties between the defence ministers of other countries," he said.

"With the coming 14th general election, our friends are hoping to see a bigger agenda, which goes beyond politics," he said in a press conference held to announce DSA and Natsec exhibition in 2020 today.

Hishammuddin said the presence of ASEAN defence ministers and their delegates at the DSA Natsec edition this time proves that the defence industry players are not easily influenced by the seasonal politics of certain parties.

"What I received from inputs from the exhibitors and in bilateral meetings is that the DSA has been successful because of political stability, prosperity, religious diversity and concept of wasatiyyah (moderation) in this country.

"It has all helped us place the image of DSA on par with other defence exhibitions overseas. It has also built confidence in the organisation of DSA which involves the commitment of many parties. We will go from strength to strength and I believe we can achieve more," he said.

At the event, Hishammuddin announced the organisation of DSA 2020 and NATSEC Asia 2020 to be held from April 20 to 23, 2020 in Kuala Lumpur and said he was confident it would attract more participants.

The 16th edition held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), here drew about 1,500 defence-related companies and 350 delegates from 45 countries including South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia.

The four-day exhibition which began on Monday is expected to attract 40,000 visitors and provide the platform of defence and security management throughout the world to exchange ideas, while giving industry players the opportunity to market their products.

-- BERNAMA