SINGAPORE, June 7 – The Minister of Defense of Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, has arrived in Singapore to participate in the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 (SLD2023) forum. Held at the Shangri-La Hotel from June 2 to 4, this international security forum brings together defense ministers and senior government officials from countries across the Asia Pacific region and Europe. During the three-day event, YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan engaged in bilateral and multilateral meetings with counterparts from strategic nations.
On the first day, he held productive bilateral discussions with TY Carlito G. Galvez, Jr, Senior Undersecretary, Officer In Charge, Department of National Defense Philippines, TY Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister of Defense of Singapore, and TYT Helena Carreiras, Minister of Defense of Portugal. Additionally, he participated in the United States – Southeast Asia meeting, chaired by TYT Lloyd James Austin III, Secretary of Defense of the United States, and attended the opening session of SLD2023, featuring a keynote speech by TYT Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia.
On the second day, the Malaysian Defense Minister joined an informal meeting and breakfast with the Defense Ministers of the Five Power Defense Arrangement (FPDA). His presence at this session demonstrated Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to the FPDA and further solidified the nation’s longstanding friendship with FPDA member countries, spanning over 52 years. YB Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan also took part in the plenary session titled “United States’ Leadership In The Indo-Pacific,” delivered by Lloyd J Austin III, the Secretary of Defense of the United States.
Furthermore, he conducted bilateral meetings with HE Li Shangfu, Minister of Defense of China, HE Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, HE Kasja Ollongren, Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, and HE Lloyd James Austin III. In the evening, he attended a dinner session with His Highness Halimah Yacob, the President of Singapore, at Istana Singapura. On the third and final day of SLD2023, Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad participated in a plenary session titled “China’s New Security Initiatives,” delivered by General Li Shangfu, Minister of Defense of China.
He also had the opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with TYT Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Australia, and met with His Highness Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore. Additionally, he engaged in discussions with His Highness Eng. Talal bin Abdullah bin Turki Al-Otaibi, Assistant Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia. The forum provided Malaysia with a valuable platform to exchange views, understand the perspectives of other countries on pressing security matters, and enhance defense relations with interested nations.
As a leader in defense and security issues in Southeast Asia, Malaysia demonstrated its commitment to foster closer defense cooperation with both regional and non-regional countries, aligning with the third pillar of the national defense strategy, which emphasizes authoritative partnerships as outlined in the Defense White Paper. The Minister of Defense’s presence at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 underscored Malaysia’s determination to strengthen defense collaboration within the region and beyond, contributing to regional peace, stability, and security.
