Malaysia Happy With Role Played By Admm In Tackling Regional Security Issues

From Azmi Abdul Malek PHNOM PENH (Cambodia), May 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia are happy with the role played by the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) in discussions and handling of safety and regional defence issues. Malaysian Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said although ADMM was formed only six years ago, its role had surpassed other organisations in discussing and resolving regional security issues. "ADMM is the best platform to discuss defence and security issues because countries involved have vested interest in both issues," he told Malaysian reporters on the final day of ADMM, Wednesday. The three-day meeting which started on May 28, featured Defence Ministers from all 10 ASEAN members countries and the Defence Minister of China as an ADMM-Plus member. Ahmad Zahid said the role of ADMM will become more important when Myanmar's open door policy becomes a reality in 2015. He added that the cooperation of ASEAN countries in tackling terrorism has reached an optimum level, especially among bordering countries with the exchange of information through Joint Border Committees. "We are of the opinion that difficulties or hardship faced by any neighbouring country also involved Malaysia," he said. -- BERNAMA