KL says E. Asia must defend itself

KL says E. Asia must defend itself

WASHINGTON (AFP): Asian countries should rely on themselves for their security instead of looking to a superpower such as the United States, Malaysia's defense minister said on Tuesday.

"It is about time that the security and defense of the region is taken care of by the regional states themselves," said Defense Minister Mohamed Najib. "We are the best guarantor of our own regional defense."

Najib's strongly worded statement to a gathering of U.S. and Malaysian policy makers reflected a growing sense of self- confidence among East Asian countries that want to provide their own solutions to security and trade problems.

The ministerial meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok next month should be the first step for building confidence in the region and should be followed up by joint military exercises, Najib said.