Khaled on US role in RM57 million upgrade of Kota Belud army camp
Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025
By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Khaled said the cooperation includes joint exercises, military aid and infrastructure development, all of which enhance preparedness and upskill troops. TAWAU: Malaysia's openness in working with the United States on a RM57.6 million upgrade of the Kota Belud Paradise Camp Firing Range is seen as a strategic form of defence diplomacy aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stressed that such cooperation does not compromise Malaysia's long-held principle of neutrality and non-alignment with any global power bloc. 'We remain neutral. We are open to making friends and working with any country that wishes to help strengthen our national defence,' he said at a press conference after officiating the 2025 Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Carnival at Tawau Sports Complex. Also present were Defence Ministry Secretary General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, Army Chief General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan, deputy secretaries and senior Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) officers. The project, a collaboration between the Malaysian Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), is scheduled for completion before the 2026 Exercise Keris Strike, an annual bilateral military drill. Khaled said the cooperation includes joint exercises, military aid and infrastructure development, all of which enhance preparedness and upskill troops. 'Countries such as Germany, Japan, Australia and the United States routinely practise this form of defence diplomacy, offering assistance based on our needs such as drones, radar systems and training,' he said. Beyond tactical and operational gains, Khaled said the initiative expands the broader scope of Malaysia and US military relations which already includes capacity building, equipment support, defence education, counter terrorism, border security, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid, intelligence sharing and participation in regional and global forums. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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