3rd November 2021 -This is the third MiDAS-KAS collaboration in hosting an international conference addressing defence and security issues.
The theme of the conference this year was “Towards a Peaceful Sea - Maritime Security Amidst Contemporaneous Challenges”. The discussion covered various maritime issues ranging from defence and security, economy, environment, legal and social particularly on human security.
The conference keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Minister of Defence, YB Dato’ Sri Ikmal Hisham Bin Abdul Aziz. In his address, he highlighted three main challenges affecting this region which are trans-border crimes, the influx of illegal immigrants, and major power competition. He also offered his thought on overcoming those three challenges, among others promoting multilateral cooperation. The deputy minister emphasis the importance of managing regional problem through ASEAN and ASEAN-Led mechanism. His thought was echoed by the ADSOM Working Group Leader of Brunei Darul Salam in which he stated that counties need to work together and strengthen ASEAN centrality in facing regional challenges.