KUALA LUMPUR: Asean countries must play their part in joint initiatives to curb terrorism, the region’s biggest security challenge.
“This fight against terrorism cannot be carried out by a single country,” said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at the 16th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference and National Security Asia 2018 today.
“Cooperation from all countries in the region is required to put an end to terrorism.
“Terrorism, which once upon a time never reached the Asean region, is now a great threat. Back then, terrorist groups and acts of extremism were only heard of outside the region, but we have now witnessed them in Marawi and Jakarta.”
He said militant groups could grow if they were not dealt with early.
Hishammuddin, who is also special functions minister, said the participation of more than 1,500 companies from more than 60 countries in the conference showed that the country was trusted and was doing well on the international front.
The four-day conference, which ends on Thursday, was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last night.
“I am very proud of the turnout of exhibitors and the technologies on display. They are among the best in the market.”
The countries that displayed their state-of-the-art defence technology and services at the event included Turkey, Korea, Abu Dhabi, Russia, Austria and the United States.
Hishammuddin spent nearly two hours visiting exhibitors’ booths on the first floor of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre.
FNSS Defence Systems, a Turkish company, honoured Hishammuddin with a replica of a 13th century Ottoman Yatagan Sword.