The MH370 tragedy has tested the mechanisms of bilateralism and regionalism, and they have not been found wanting, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
Opening the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA) 2014 here on Sunday night, he said incidents like the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines aircraft served as a reminder about the fragility of life and the need to value the ties between nations.
"Through our anguish, one thing is clear: the world is a community, and we are its citizens," Hishammuddin, who is acting transport minister, said.
In this connection, he said Malaysia felt that the need for increased strategic inter-government collaboration has never been more pressing in today's global, hyperconnected security landscape.
The minister noted that although it was too early to be talking about lessons learnt from the MH370 episode, two things were clear.
"We should always be prepared to face any threat which may come anytime in any shape or size," Hishammuddin said.
Leadership in the defence industry needed to be steered into a mindset to never be again caught off guard against any eventuality or circumstance.
Pointing out that no nation could do this alone, he said: "As much as governments all around the world would like to devote resources to building up defence capabilities, there is a need to balance this agenda with other domestic priorities."
Hishammuddin said this was where it was important to cultivate good ties on both the defence and diplomatic tracks with other nations.
Flight MH370 with 239 people aboard vanished from civilian radar screens about an hour into its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing flight on March 8, prompting a multinational search that is now focused on the southern Indian Ocean, in waters off the Australian city of Perth.
Coming back to DSA 2014, Hishammuddin described it as a premier platform designed to enhance bilateral relations and promote a higher level of commitment towards global defence.
Noting that Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2015 would coincide with the advent of the Asean Economic Community, he said this was something not to be taken lightly.
Malaysia, he said, believed strongly in a people-centric Asean whose initiatives - whether social, cultural, economic or defence and security - would be inclusive.
"We want an Asean that places Southeast Asia's inherent diversity of cultures and people at its core."
Hishammuddin highlighted the setting up, for the first time, of the Asean Hall within DSA.
Saying that this was a Malaysian initiative, he expressed hope that "this small gesture" would mark the continuing and strengthening of cooperation between Asean countries.
Billed as Asia's largest defence exhibition, DSA 2014 runs from Monday until Thursday at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).
Bernama
Mon Apr 14 2014
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
PRK KKB: PN ketandusan idea, main isu perkauman - Fahmi
Fahmi minta jentera PN bagi PRK KKB itu supaya menghentikan bermain dengan sentimen perkauman kerana ia ibarat "senjata makan tuan".
Malaysia guna hubungan baik pelbagai negara bantu henti kekejaman di Gaza - PM Anwar
Katanya, strategi melibatkan pelbagai negara harus dirangka kerana penindasan di Gaza bukan lagi isu yang hanya melibatkan OIC dan Islam.
PRK KKB: Ahmad Zahid yakin ahli UMNO sokong calon Kerajaan Perpaduan
Ahmad Zahid yakin ahli parti itu di DUN Kuala Kubu Baharu akan memberikan sokongan kepada calon Kerajaan Perpaduan pada PRK DUN itu, 11 Mei ini.
Piala Thomas: Malaysia diundi bertemu Jepun di suku akhir
Skuad kebangsaan akan meneruskan kempen demi misi membawa Piala Thomas pulang ke tanah air sejak kali terakhir memenanginya pada 1992.
Kenaikan gaji: Fahami konteks, berlaku adil buat perbandingan - Fahmi
Isu timbul selepas ada pihak mendakwa kenaikan paling tinggi adalah sebanyak 35 peratus pada era pentadbiran perdana menteri kelima, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Kerajaan sedia terima kritikan, namun, tidak bertolak ansur sentimen 3R - PM Anwar
Kebebasan bersuara yang diperuntukkan dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan bukan bermakna kebebasan untuk mencerca dan memaki hamun sesuka hati.
ADUN Sungai Bakap ditidurkan akibat keradangan perut
Muhammad Fauzi dimaklumkan oleh ahli keluarga Nor Zamri berhubung keadaan kesihatan beliau yang ketika ini ditidurkan.
NCEC setuju transformasi perundangan sisa pepejal diadakan - KPKT
Mesyuarat NCEC bersetuju mengadakan transformasi perundangan bagi sisa pepejal.
AirAsia yakin mampu harungi pergerakan mata wang tidak menggalakkan, kenaikan harga bahan api
AirAsia yakin mampu tangani kenaikan harga bahan api dan pergerakan mata wang tidak menggalakkan yang berpanjangan, yang terus meningkatkan cabaran global.
JPN pergiat masuk pedalaman kampung Orang Asli, daftar sijil kelahiran, MyKad
JPN mempergiatkan inisiatif memasuki kawasan pedalaman Orang Asli bagi mengurangkan kelewatan daftar kelahiran dan MyKad komuniti itu.