LANGKAWI, Malaysia -- Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Malaysia, May 20-24, 2023 to affirm the comprehensive partnership between Malaysia and the United States.

Paparo met with senior Malaysia defense officials to discuss enhancing defense cooperation, deepening partnerships, and the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces in the Indo-Pacific, with a particular focus in the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea.

Meetings included: 

• Mohamad Hasan, Minister of Defence
• Gen. Tan Sri Affendi Buang, Chief of Defense Force, Malaysia Armed Forces
• Adm. Datuk Abdul Rahman bin Ayob, Chief of the Royal Malaysia Navy
• Gen. Tan Sri Asghar Khan, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force
• Vice Adm. Datuk Saiful Lizan Bin Ibrahim, Director General (acting), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

Malaysia and the United States have a longstanding defense relationship and a strong navy-to-navy partnership that includes bilateral and multilateral exercises, subject matter expert exchanges, and information sharing to enhance maritime domain awareness and promote regional stability.

While in Malaysia, Paparo attended the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 23), where he participated in a Chief of Navy roundtable discussion on ‘The Future of Naval Technology in a Changing Security Landscape: Global and Regional Trends’ with Rear Adm. Sean Wat, Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy, and Adm. Stanislas de la Motte, Inspector General, Armed Forces-Navy France. He addressed the commonality of navies and need to adapt future technology to counter threats, including climate change, illicit trafficking, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, to support sovereignty and ensure maritime security for freedom of the seas.

During LIMA, Paparo also held bilateral meetings with:

• Adm. M Shaheen Iqbal, Chief of Naval Staff, Bangladesh Navy
• Rear Adm. Mohammed bin Abdirahman AI-Ghuraybi, Deputy Commander, Royal Saudi Naval Forces
• Rear Adm. Pham Nhu Xuan, Deputy Commander, Vietnam People’s Navy
• Captain Hj Mohamad Sarif Pudin bin Matserudin, Acting Commander, Royal Brunei Navy

The visit to Malaysia underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific.