KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Malaysia is not obligated to heed the recommendation made by major powers to raise its defence spending to 5 per cent of Gross National Product (GNP), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Khaled suggested the push for more defence spending only serves the interest of foreign powers who want neutral nations on the frontlines during major conflicts, in allusion seemingly made towards countries that are seen as hostile to China.

“There are countries recommending that we raise our defence expenditure to five per cent of GNP. The intention is that these major powers want us out in front whenever there is a clash, conflict, or war,” Khaled said in reply to William Leong (PH-Selayang).