(VOVworld) – Malaysia’s Defense Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein, on Monday called on ASEAN countries to be united in the East Sea issue and to prevent any interference from world powers in regional issues.

Malaysia’s Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (Photo: EPA)

Mr. Hussein said that each country cannot stand alone in dealing with the situation, and that if the many countries act as a bloc, even China cannot ignore it. Minister Hussein also restated Malaysia’s determination to counter the escalating deployment of military equipment in disputed areas of the East Sea.