KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Japan have agreed that the South China Sea issue must be managed in a peaceful and rational manner through dialogue and consultations.
Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, it is important for all parties to work together to ensure peace, security and stability in the South China Sea.
In relation to the issue, Ismail said, Malaysia and Japan should continue to strengthen the bilateral defence cooperation even though challenged by the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Ismail said that to his counterpart, H.E Kono Taro, Defence Minister of Japan via telephone conversation on July 20, at 4pm.
Kono Taro congratulated Ismail for his appointment as the Senior Minister of Defence Malaysia before they discussed on the prevailing global crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both ministers updated each other on the prevention and control measures undertaken by both countries particularly the roles of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Japan Self-Defence Forces in containing the spread of COVID-19.
Both Defence Ministers then expressed their commitments to further deepen thebilateral defence relations based on the shared interests of both countries.
Meanwhile, prior to the telephone conversation, Ismail received a courtesy call from the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia, His Excellency Dato’ Paduka Alaihuddin Mohd. Taha.
The strengthening of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Brunei particularly on border cooperation and the current COVID-19 situation were among the important matters discussed between Ismail and Alaihuddin yesterday (July 20). –Malaysia World News
