PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has expressed its concern that the security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, known as Aukus, could potentially spark a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific region. The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement yesterday, said this stance was conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who had taken note of the matter. The two leaders, the statement said, also reached agreement on renewing their joint commitment to maintain international peace and security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. “The Malaysian Prime Minister urged all quarters to avoid any provocation and arms race in this region, apart from stressing the importance of respecting and abiding by existing stance and approaches. “Malaysia and Australia agreed to strengthen cooperation and consultation in various aspects, including in the area of defence under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” according to the statement.
