SINGAPORE, June 11 — Top officials from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Britain said today that their 51-year-old Five Power Defence Arrangements pact was solid, relevant and crucial to managing rising tensions in the region.
After meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the officials told a news conference that the relationship among the member nations was warm, and that they were focused on the future even amid increasing geopolitical complexities. As tensions in the region increase sharply, particularly between China and US allies, the FPDA has great relevance as a moderating force, said Malaysia’s Senior Minister for Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
“My biggest concern is unintended incidents and accidents that may spiral out of control and make it bigger than what it is,” Hishammuddin said. “If these platforms did not exist, there wouldn’t be any opportunity to manage incidents that do sometimes go out of control.
“Australia is deeply committed to the FPDA,” Marles said. “It’s not something we take for granted.” — Reuters