ASEAN DEFENCE MINISTERS TAKE FIRM STAND AGAINST TERROR THREATS

Defence ministers from the ASEAN member countries signed a Joint Declaration at the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) on 16 Mar, which underscored their commitment to addressing common security challenges.

At the meeting held in Langkawi, Malaysia, the ministers noted with serious concern the rise of violence and brutality committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and condemned all terrorist acts of destruction and violence carried out by radical groups.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said the unanimous condemnation against ISIS by all ASEAN member states, which were predominantly Muslim states, was "a very powerful statement by ASEAN".

He stressed: "We must deny ISIS a stronghold in Iraq and Syria or any other country from which to radicalise our people here. We must counter their false ideology with the pure and virtuous tenets of Islam. What ISIS is preaching or doing has nothing to do with Islam."

"The ADMM must respond collectively to the threat of religious extremist terrorism as it affects us all," said Dr Ng.

He said Singapore would be hosting a symposium in April for East Asia Summit countries to share best practices on de-radicalisation and religious rehabilitation.

The ASEAN defence ministers pledged to cooperate in accordance with both domestic and international law, including the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism to counter the imminent threat of terrorist organisations through information sharing, increasing surveillance and promoting awareness among the public about the threat of radicalism.

Dr Ng elaborated that information sharing was about intelligence sharing and early warning among member countries.

Other matters discussed at the meeting included the good progress in practical cooperation under the ambit of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus.

Proposals to improve the region's response to non-traditional security challenges like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations were also discussed.

Dr Ng stressed that responses to non-traditional security areas must be based on flexible, voluntary and non-binding participation to provide assurance to and respecting the independence of each ASEAN member state.

While in Langkawi, Dr Ng also had a bilateral meeting with Brunei Minister of Energy Yasmin Umar.

Dr Ng and his ASEAN counterparts will call on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak on 17 Mar.

He will also be attending the opening ceremony of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2015 in Malaysia, where he will meet personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) participating in the exhibition.

Taking part in LIMA 2015 are two Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft, a Republic of Singapore Navy Formidable-class stealth frigate RSS Stalwart, with a Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopter on board, and a patrol vessel RSS Sovereignty in the static display.