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Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin told Parliament that the Malaysian Armed Forces possess the constitutional authority to conduct military exercises within states without requiring advance royal consent from state rulers.
Japan's defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi notably abstained. The visit underscores Tokyo's delicate balancing act between honouring war dead and managing tense relations with China and South Korea.
Japan marked 81 years since its WWII surrender with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledging peace but notably omitting references to 'remorse'—a departure from her predecessor and a sign of evolving attitudes toward Japan's wartime history.
South Korea's leadership is pivoting toward a technology-focused military model with selective conscription, seeking to balance national defence needs with demographic realities of a shrinking population.
Malaysia's Defence Ministry is championing organisational reforms for the Malaysian Armed Forces, submitting proposals for improved career structures, promotion pathways, and special allowances to align with defence modernisation efforts.
South Korea's defence ministry has released a draft bill establishing legal basis for building nuclear-powered submarines under the Jang Bogo N project, with safeguards affirming the programme is non-weapons focused.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the government to examine the promotion pathway for senior Malaysian Armed Forces officers, citing concerns that their advancement is sometimes slower than other civil servants.
The government is prioritising housing, education and welfare for Malaysian Armed Forces personnel to enable them to concentrate on national defence. Ahmad Zahid announced initiatives including 1,300 new military family housing units.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has unveiled an extra RM2 million allocation for Warriors' Day celebrations, recognising the armed forces' role in national defence. The move comes alongside broader investments in military housing and family support services.
Malaysia's Parliament convenes to tackle pressing global and domestic issues, with lawmakers questioning the government's approach to UN reform, food security preparedness, and defence supply chain resilience.
Malaysia's Cabinet has ordered the Defence Ministry to immediately cease all new defence equipment purchases from Norway, responding to Oslo's cancellation of an export licence for Naval Strike Missiles intended for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Littoral Combat Ships.