Enhance Sharing Of Information, Intelligence Among ASEAN Countries - M'sian Defence Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- Sharing of information and intelligence among ASEAN countries and also international agencies must be enhanced for the sake of security and stability in the region. Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the coordination was crucial in combating cross border threats. “Through this approach, we can take targeted measures using the new act that had been approved earlier," he told a press conference here Monday, after a lecture, 'Malaysia’s Defence and Security Policies'. The 35/2015 series lecture held at the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College was attended by 40 Strategy and Defence Studies participants from seven countries. Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said when asked whether the trespass by 17 Indonesians at Pulau Sebatik in Tawau recently was due to lax security, that there was a need for ASEAN countries to establish a 'comfort zone'. “Sincere and genuine cooperation and understanding including negotiations are strengths that ASEAN has in facing situations that might arise. Our relationship with ASEAN leaders is good," he said. On March 13 this year, 17 Indonesians including 10 policemen and four soldiers carrying firearms were detained for illegally entering the border at Pulau Sebatik, Tawau. They were believed to have come for a suspect who had allegedly murdered a soldier and who was detained by Malaysian police on March 10. To another question, Hishammuddin said acquiring or increasing the country's military assets was subjected to conditions. "It depends on the government's financial capability and based on the type of threats faced by the country, and how to convince the public that the assets were necessary," he said. -- BERNAMA