Fact Sheet: 9th FPDA Defence Ministers' Meeting

The 9th Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Ministers' Meeting (FDMM) was held in Johor Bahru on 1 June 2014.  The meeting was chaired by Malaysia's Minister of Defence, Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. The meeting was attended by The Honourable Senator David Johnston, Minister for Defence, Australia; The Honourable Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Defence, New Zealand; The Honourable Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, Singapore; The Right Honourable Philip Hammond MP, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom.

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to and the importance of FPDA in enhancing regional security. The Ministers also acknowledged that FPDA has evolved over the years to adapt to present security challenges and maintain its relevance.

The Ministers had a useful exchange of views on regional security issues that are of concerns to the FPDA member-nations. They took note of the recent developments affecting the region. They stressed the need for effective cooperation, dialogue, freedom of navigation and respect for international law in managing threats to stability.

The Ministers noted the FPDA activities undertaken since their last meeting in 2011 and expressed satisfaction that there had been good progress in moving towards more joint and combined activities, including the integration of the land serials into FPDA exercises. It was also noted that joint and combined exercises have enhanced the effectiveness and the interoperability of the FPDA member-nations' militaries.

The Ministers commended the progress made in enhancing the capacity of members in addressing non-conventional threats through the continued inclusion of non-conventional elements into FPDA exercise serials. The Ministers reaffirmed the mutual benefits and professional value that the personnel of the member countries have derived from their participation in FPDA exercises, and agreed to further enhance the professional value of FPDA exercises.

The Ministers expressed sympathies to the family members of those onboard flight MH370 and reaffirmed continued support for the search and rescue mission of the missing airplane.

Prior to this meeting, the Ministers called on the Prime Minister of Singapore, His Excellency Mr. Lee Hsien Loong on 31 May 2014, Saturday, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. After the end of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Ministers travelled to Johor Bahru for this meeting.

More Resources

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