Malaysia rebukes Norway over cancelled missile deal; calls out global ‘hypocrisy’ on war crimes

SINGAPORE – Malaysian Defence Minister Khaled Nordin delivered a public rebuke of Norway for cancelling its naval missile system contract, saying the move translates to a loss in trust in international agreements and strategic partnerships.

Speaking at a plenary session on managing regional tensions amid global competition at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), Khaled said trust is no longer universal and has instead become conditional, selective and increasingly transactional.

“If even a nation well known for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize could abandon commitment without consequences, then I am afraid international relations are no longer governed by principles,” he said, referring to Norway.

The Norwegian government was previously reported to have revoked the export licence of a naval strike missile system to Malaysia and its associated launcher system on the grounds of protecting its security.

Citing the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace US, Malaysia news agency Bernama reported that the procurement deal was signed between the firm and the Royal Malaysian Navy in April 2018 to equip six new littoral combat ships.

Malaysia had reportedly paid US$147 million (S$188 million) or, roughly 95 per cent of the contract value, before the cancellation. It is now seeking a total of around US$251 million in direct and indirect costs.

On May 30, the Malaysian minister told reporters that in his conversation with US War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Washington is exploring selling missiles to Malaysia to fulfil the latter’s requirement.

“When developing nations violate an agreement, they face condemnation and pressure,” he said in his May 31 speech.

“But when powerful countries or their allies do the same, the international response becomes conspicuously muted,” he added, referring to what he deemed as silence on Norway’s unilateral decision.

He said the damning silence sends a dangerous message that some countries are “above scrutiny”.

Speaking to reporters on May 31 after a bilateral meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Tore O. Sandvik, Khaled said Malaysia has expressed its disappointment and regret over the issue.

He said the episode has caused a setback in the two countries’ relationship and the damage done can be repaired only if Malaysia’s payment is refunded. According to Khaled, there has been no promise to that end.

“This episode will remain a blot in our relationship. The relationship we enjoyed all this while will not be the same again,” Khaled told reporters.

In his speech, Khaled also slammed the global public for what he called “hypocrisy” when it comes to genocide and war crimes.

“The same double standards are visible globally where the ongoing genocide, war crimes and violation of international law often receive selective reaction depending on who is involved,” he said.

Malaysia is a vocal supporter of Palestine, and has consistently labelled Israeli settler-colonialism, especially in Gaza, as “genocide and ethnic cleansing”.

“This hypocrisy is profoundly destructive to the legitimacy and credibility of the rules-based international order,” he added.

In the question-and-answer session, a delegate from Indonesia asked whether Khaled’s fellow panellists – Japan Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, and Netherlands Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yeşilgoz-Zegerius – agreed with the Malaysian minister that there is a selective application of international law.

Koizumi did not address the question, while Yeşilgoz-Zegerius gave the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an example where international law enforcement is crucial.

“It is very important that we make sure that Russia does not win. That is not only very important for our continent, I think (also) for the whole world,” the Netherlands defence minister said.

“It’s also a clear signal that brutal aggression and an unjust war that Putin cannot prevail. I think that is very key for Putin and all others who are seeking conflict in that,” she added, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.