Norway defence contract freeze justified, says Khaled

PETALING JAYA: The government’s decision to halt all future defence procurements and contracts with Norway is justified as the country failed to show respect for Malaysia, says defence minister Khaled Nordin.

He said the Cabinet endorsed the defence ministry’s recommendation to stop procuring defence assets from Norway after the country revoked the export licence for a missile system ordered by Malaysia.

Khaled said the Cabinet also considered whether the policy, which applies only to the defence ministry, should be extended to other ministries.

“Once existing contracts involving Norwegian companies expire, the government may no longer engage those companies or renew the contracts.

“This is an appropriate and justified course of action, as Norway has shown a lack of respect for our country. I hope the public understands and supports this decision,” Bernama reported him as saying in Felda Pasak, Kota Tinggi, Johor today.

Yesterday, unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the defence ministry had been ordered to immediately halt all new procurements of defence equipment from Norway.

He said the decision was made after the Cabinet discussed Norway’s move to revoke the export licence for the naval strike missile system and its launcher systems.

Khaled expressed Putrajaya’s disappointment, noting that the contract was signed in 2018 and that payments had already been made before Norway unilaterally revoked the licence without notice or prior consultation.

He said Norway’s explanation that the missile system was supplied only to Nato members and allies was unconvincing, as it was fully aware of Malaysia’s need to strengthen its defence capabilities, particularly for patrol and security operations in the South China Sea.

The Kota Tinggi MP said Malaysia’s position had been conveyed to Norway’s deputy foreign minister and its ambassador to Malaysia, and stressed that bilateral relations must be based on trust and mutual respect.

“We no longer have confidence in Norway,” he said.