Putrajaya rejects foreign pressure to hike defence spending, maintains non-aligned stance

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Malaysia is not under any obligation to comply with the suggestion made by major powers to increase its defence spending to 5 percent of Gross National Product (GNP), stated Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin during a speech in the Dewan Rakyat today. Khaled argued that the demand for higher defence expenditure is merely a tactic employed by foreign powers aiming to have neutral countries involved in the frontline during significant conflicts, possibly referring to nations that hold hostile attitudes towards China.

In response to William Leong (PH-Selayang), the minister explained that various countries are urging Malaysia to raise its defence expenditure to the suggested 5 percent of GNP, with the underlying intention of placing Malaysia on the front lines whenever there is a clash, conflict, or war. Malaysia and Southeast Asia have traditionally adhered to a non-aligned foreign policy, which was formally established amidst geopolitical tensions stemming from the Cold War era.

Khaled emphasized that the Malaysian Defense Forces (Mindef) will manage its defence budget in accordance with the nation's own capabilities. The country currently allocates between 1.0 to 1.1 percent of its national output to defence spending annually, with the Ministry of Defence receiving approximately RM21.7 billion in the 2026 budget.

Khaled reiterated that Malaysia remains unaffiliated with any major power, maintaining a stance of neutrality and a purely defensive military doctrine, focused solely on protecting the nation, rather than attacking others.