Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, has asserted the importance of ASEAN as the central element in discussions surrounding the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized that any productive engagement within the Indo-Pacific must be firmly rooted in the existing ASEAN security framework. This statement underscores Malaysia’s commitment to prioritizing regional cooperation through ASEAN. Nordin believes maintaining ASEAN's role is crucial for ensuring stability and fostering a collaborative approach to security challenges. The Minister’s remarks highlight ASEAN’s continuing relevance amidst growing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific. This position reaffirms ASEAN’s centrality as a platform for dialogue and cooperation involving key stakeholders in the region. Ultimately, Nordin’s statement signals a preference for an ASEAN-led approach to navigating the complexities of the Indo-Pacific landscape.