Find “commonalities and nurture” them: Malaysian minister tells IISS

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A top Malaysian Defence official has called on Gulf and Asian nations to find “commonalities and nurture them” to face the ‘lurking’ risks and challenges facing the region and build bridges for a better future.

“We must avoid being pulled away in different directions, and forge singularity in vision, said Senior Minister of Defence for Malaysia Hishammuddin Hussein.

Addressing the second plenary session of the Manama Dialogue 2021 “Gulf and Asia”, Hussein said the biggest challenge facing the world today is the Corona pandemic and confronting it calls for “combining international efforts.”

“There is a need to unite efforts and visions to deal with the challenges that seem formidable and endless,” he said, adding, “we do not want to lose hope.”

A vital move forward is for the countries is to build on the trust that they have worked to strengthen over the past years, he added. Highlighting Malaysia’s commitment to fighting extremism, he said his country joined the international coalition against Daesh in 2014. He also warned against lowering guards in the fight against terrorism.

“Nations must be vigilant in the fight against extremism and must not take their eyes off this war,” he said. The developments in Afghanistan, he said, may serve as a morale-booster to dormant militant groups in Southeast Asia.

“This is concerning as both the regions may once again become a haven for terror groups seeking a new base,” he warned. The minister cautioned that while the world focuses on COVID-19, it has given the impression that terrorism and extremism have taken a back seat, and governments must not allow this to cloud their judgement and lull them into a false sense of security. “The moment extremists feel we are distracted is the moment they intensify their evil intentions,” he said.

The minister said both regions had an opportunity to forge a better future together in a new global landscape as the world transitions into endemicity and must not squander it away.