Malcon ISAF Mission Will Continue Even After Nato's Withdrawal - Armed Forces Chief

PETALING JAYA (Malaysia), April 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue its humanitarian mission through the Malaysian Contingent International Security Assistance Force (MALCON ISAF) in Afghanistan despite the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) anticipated withdrawal in 2014. "We will continue the mission as long as we can afford to although this will depend on the prevailing situation and allocation given to us," Armed Forces chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin told reporters here Thursday. He had earlier addressed the MALCON ISAF 4 contingent that will be leaving for the Bamyan region in Afghanistan tomorrow to replace MALCON ISAF 3 that ends its mission on May 5. MALCON ISAF 4 led by Lieutenant Colonel Jamaluddin Alias comprises 12 officers and 28 personnel from various ranks. Meanwhile, Zulkifeli said the Armed Forces proposed to allow non-governmental organisations and government agencies to join the MALCON ISAF mission in Afghanistan. -- BERNAMA