KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is ready to combat terrorism in the Philippines via the INDOMALPHI or Trilateral Maritime Patrol (TMP) which has been launched recently with Indonesia and Philippines.
Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who is also Minister with Special Functions said, the initiatives aim at ensuring the militants such as DAESH could not turn Sulu Sea to “rat routes” and invade the three countries.
This initiative also handles the pirates` activities, kidnappings and armed robberies in the waters.
“I have spoken to the Philippines’ Secretary of Defence, Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana this morning and informed him about Malaysia’s willingness to help the country in fighting against terrorists’ threats,” he said in a press statement today.
Hishammuddin said this in relation to the security team of Iraq that came back to control several provinces in the Old Town of Mosul from the DAESH occupation.
“Following the TMP, we are also going to launch the Trilateral Air Patrol (TAP) involving three countries and it will take place in Subang.
“In general, TAP is launched as another initiative to empower the security patrol, the Air Force and Maritime preparedness in the Sulu Sea,” he emphasized.
Hishammuddin said, simultaneously he will communicate with the US Defence Secretary, General James Mattis on Wednesday to discuss the latest development of DAESH activities in the Middle East.
The discussion, he said, will be the best platform for him and General Mattis to share experience and to refine the defence cooperation between the two countries.
Hishammuddin also mentioned that he will soon be on his working trip to the Middle East, namely to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain.
Hishammuddin’s meeting with the leaders of the countries will enable him to share opinion relating to the best approach to address DAESH threats.
Hishammuddin will meet the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also the Defence Minister, to discuss the establishment of King Salman Centre for International Peace (KSCIP) in Kuala Lumpur and to frame the best approach to stop the terrorist groups` propaganda from spreading. – Malaysia World News
