As the sun set over the glistening Kuala Lumpur skyline, the Malaysian leg of Indo-Pacific Endeavour came to a close.
From October 1 to 11, ADF and Malaysian Armed Forces personnel exchanged experiences and deepened their understanding of one another as part of Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity.
The week opened with the inaugural port visit of HMAS Sydney to Kota Kinabalu, with the ship’s company engaging with the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian community through sports, ship interactions and a visit to the SANZAC ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Secondary School.
The Malaysia leg also included faith-based engagements, with members of the ADF Chaplaincy visiting the Armed Forces Religious Corps Directorate of the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Department of Islamic Development and the Army Museum at Port Dickson.
An international law forum took place at Persama Auditorium, focusing on maritime security and cyber law. For the first time, a cyber-operations forum was held, with workshops and briefs between ADF and Malaysian Armed Forces personnel.
Commander Indo-Pacific Endeavour Commodore Michael Harris emphasised the strong and enduring relationship between the two nations.
“Malaysia is one of Australia’s closest Defence partners. We have a shared interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, founded on openness, respect for sovereignty and adherence to agreed rules and norms,” he said.
“Together we make a meaningful contribution to regional security through the Five Power Defence Arrangements and Operation Gateway.”
‘Malaysia is one of Australia’s closest Defence partners. We have a shared interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.’
The week’s activities concluded with friendly badminton matches between ADF Racquet Sports and Malaysian Armed Forces personnel at Pro One Badminton Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Lieutenant Commander Vishal Bhakoo, head of delegation for the badminton team, said the competition was fierce and friendly.
“Malaysia has badminton as their main sport. They have been friendly, but you can really see their skill. It’s phenomenal, seeing their movement and their power,” Lieutenant Commander Bhakoo said.
“The whole trip has been a highlight, learning the intricacies of the sport. The exchange of skill and experience has been a huge part of this.”
After the badminton matches, the ADF team took their racquets across the courts and found some other competitors – this time in some Malaysian veterans.
The ADF teamed up with the Malaysian Armed Forces and took on the Malaysian veterans in mixed doubles.
Lieutenant Commander Bhakoo said they played with the veterans for about an hour after the formal program.
“While the formal matches showed the skill of the Malaysians, it was the unexpected matches with the veterans that was one of the best moments,” Lieutenant Commander Bhakoo said.
“It was great to play on the same side of the Malaysian Armed Forces, but also to see how much the veterans enjoyed playing with us too. It was really nice experiencing such a strong community, and to see in practice how badminton can help form such close people-to-people ties that prosper across a lifetime.”
Indo-Pacific Endeavour continues for the year, with engagements still planned for Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia.
