SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) said here Friday that they have put anti-terrorism and extremism in this region on their agenda particularly at a time when terror attacks rocked many countries in the region and worldwide.
The ministers from Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and the British high commissioner said at a joint press conference that terrorism is a global challenge and a new challenge for the region in the Southeast Asia.
Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that the incidents in the Philippines and Indonesia have showed that terrorists are determined to establish their foot holds in the region, warning that Islamic State will be in the region.
"The extremists are very mobile and difficult to detect," he added.
Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said the group will update its relevance both in exercises and integration of new capability as well as to deal with current security threats including terrorism.
The officials expressed their sympathies to victims of recent tragic incidents of terror attacks. Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne, New Zealand Defense Minister Mark Mitchell and British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman attended the press briefing.
The FPDA was formed in 1971 and groups Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Britain.
