ENHANCED TRILATERAL SECURITY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (AUKUS)

 

The Government of Malaysia takes note of the latest Joint Leaders’ Statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Joe Biden relating to the Enhanced Trilateral Security Partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (AUKUS).

 

Malaysia appreciates the readiness on the part of the three countries, which are our close partners and two of which are fellow parties of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), in engaging with Malaysia at various levels and in sharing the latest updates and future outlook of AUKUS prior to the announcement.

 

Malaysia acknowledges the needs of countries in terms of enhancing defence capabilities taking into account respective requirements and concerns. Nevertheless, Malaysia’s position on AUKUS remains. Malaysia reiterates as a matter of principle the importance of all parties within and beyond this security partnership to fully respect and comply with the existing Malaysia’s national regime in relation to operation of nuclear-powered submarines in our waters, including those under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, and the ASEAN Declaration on the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN).

 

Malaysia further underscores the importance of promoting transparency and confidence-building among all countries, and refraining from any provocation that could potentially trigger an arms race or affect peace and security in the region.

 

 

 

 

PUTRAJAYA

14 March 2023