| James Kon |
THE Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, attended the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), where the ministers inked the 10th ADMM Joint Declaration that underscored the ADMM’s commitment to strengthen efforts in promoting regional peace and security through dialogues and cooperation towards a dynamic Asean Community.
The minister was representing His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who is the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the ADMM under the Asean chairmanship of Lao PDR. The Asean member states came together to exchange views on regional security issues and increasing complexities that pose challenges to the region, in particular the evolving nature of terrorism where Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin emphasised that one of the most critical new challenges that Southeast Asia is seeing today is the reverse diaspora to the region.
On that note, the meeting recognised the important role that the ADMM plays in fostering defence cooperation within the region to address these challenges collectively.
The meeting also recognised the significance of the ADMM achievements and progress of defence and military interactions, which have led to the establishment of various fundamental mechanisms.
The Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar in a group photo with Asean Defence Ministers and Secretary-General of Asean. – MINDEF
The ministers also adopted the Terms of Reference of the Asean Centre of Military Medicine, the Terms of Reference of the Asean Militaries Ready Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, and the Concept Paper on the Establishment of the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Cyber Security.
The anniversary celebration will take place tomorrow which will feature a tree-planting ceremony and a gallery viewing of the past ADMM events that took place in the last decade.
While in Vientiane, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin also held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Defence of Lao PDR and Philippines. He also had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister of Lao PDR during a courtesy call with all the Asean Defence Ministers.
At the Asean-China Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting that was held subseque-ntly to the ADMM, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin underscored the vital role that China plays as a key partner to work together in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The minister also highlighted the importance of continuing Asean’s and China’s engagement in multiple security issues while establishing mechanisms that develop mutual assurance and confidence in order to build long-lasting strategic trust and ensure long-term benefits.
Also present at the ADMM were Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence as Brunei Darussalam’s Asean Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) Leader, and other officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Defence.
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