M'sia, Singapore Agree To Step Up Cooperation In Military Establishment

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Singapore Monday signed a letter of intent to step up cooperation between both countries' defence establishments in addressing common security concerns such as the threat of the IS militant group to the region. Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and his counterpart Dr Ng Eng Hen in a joint statement said, both countries concerned had agreed to encourage more military-to-military exchanges, including intelligence exchanges. Both Ministers who met during Hishammuddin's courtesy call Monday, had also affirmed the value of the Malacca Strait Patrols (MSP) in enhancing the security of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and discussed ways to take the MSP forward. Dr Ng meanwhile reaffirmed Singapore’s support for Malaysia’s new initiative to enhance naval cooperation through coordinated maritime patrols within each country’s own territorial waters. Hishammuddin was on his two-day introductory visit to Singapore since Sunday. The joint statement which was made available Monday, also stated that both Defence Ministers had reaffirmed their countries’ longstanding commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus. Apart from that, they also affirmed the close cooperation between both militaries in non-traditional security areas, such as the recent flood relief efforts in Malaysia. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA