Speaking at the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, an informal gathering of ministers from around the region and beyond, he said this collaboration could expand upon the success of the existing Asean Militaries Ready Group for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

“My proposal, however, is for all 10 nations to serve jointly as peacekeepers, with the mandate of the United Nations, representing Southeast Asia’s firm commitment to maintain peace and stability around the world,” he said during a meeting today with South Korea defence minister Suh Wook.

He noted that Malaysia and Brunei already collaborate through their deployment of troops to Lebanon under the Unifil peacekeeping mission.

Hishammuddin also called upon all relevant parties to work together towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula in the interests of world peace.

“All parties must learn from the issues and challenges of the previous peace building efforts and move towards the ultimate goal,” he said.

Addressing his Australian counterpart, Peter Dutton, at the same meeting, Hishammuddin said Malaysia was committed to ensuring good relations with all parties to ensure stability in the region.

“We do not want to be dragged into the geopolitics of the considerations of huge powers,” he said in reference to Aukus, the trilateral security pact among Australia, the UK and the US.

“(Southeast Asia) is home to several of the world’s busiest shipping routes and is an essential maritime crossroads for trade. Therefore, any escalation of tensions in this region can disrupt the global economy and freedom of navigation and cause the loss of livelihoods of numerous people depending on the ocean.”

He said he appreciated the commitment from Australia, the UK and the US to keep countries in the region informed of developments to the security agreement.