LETTERS: THE upcoming 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Arrangement (FPDA) marks a significant milestone of exceptional foresight and strategic collective security pact forged in facing security needs after World War 2 and during the Cold War.
The members — Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom — have been playing a stellar role in maintaining the strategic relevance of this military partnership.
With the advent of non-traditional threats during the post-Cold War era, the immediate goals and relevance of FPDA remain ever robust and vital in providing the common platform for the five members to respond and manage the changing nature of threats.
These threats are not confined to a specific region or state as the speed and depth of these new threats will require equal response robustness.
The return of conventional threats and the ever-persistent non-traditional threats, point to the need for a future-driven and forward-looking collective security and defence mechanism.
The evolving nature of threats of terrorism, cyber, nano and unconventional warfare, transnational crime, climate impact, energy conflicts, and other new threats will require the same systemic and structural combative mode in drawing the solutions and strategies in churning out effective actions plans and strategies for the risks and challenges.
The FPDA stands tall as a unique and futuristic defence agreement and entity that has the foresight, resilience and agility in maintaining the commitment, trust and engagement among member states.
The fundamental objectives remain crucial in equipping the states with the different phases of readiness and sustainability of a comprehensive security and survival spectrum.
Conflict prevention is a critical key in the domain as well where confidence building measures in promoting transparency and trust and shoring up of diplomacy and dialogue reflect the different tools in use in facing challenges and risks.
Unlike NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), the FPDA is resilient in its standing. It stands for the cultivation and enrichment of trust, values, principles and historical ties and accord that have stood the test of time and different challenges.
The time-tested foundation based on ideals and common values brings the people of the five countries closer together, cemented by shared understanding and the yearn for peace, safety and prosperity.
National security, territorial integrity and the sanctity of national sovereignty are of the paramount priority and overarching factor to a nation's development, stability and survival.
For Malaysia, these fundamentals serve as the catalyst for national progress with our unyielding spirit and dedication in promoting regional and global peace as a responsible and active global player in cultivating peaceful co-existence, common solidarity and prosperity.
In celebrating 50 years of meaningful and enriching security and defence pact, Malaysia as the host for the celebration shoulders a visionary and futuristic mission in bolstering the interoperability capacity, resilience and future agility of this partnership.
The journey ahead in the next few decades and the new century will be tough and difficult with more complex and risky prospects of conflicts in all forms with serious repercussions and it requires the continuous cultivation of shared strength and strategy in the FPDA in providing the necessary support and assurance for a safe, secure and sovereign nation state.
COLLINS CHONG
Universiti Malaya
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times