China and Malaysia’s first-ever joint military exercise is an important strategic move

MALAYSIA is in a pivotal position, located midway between two key oceans – the Indian and Pacific. The Strait of Malacca (SOM) is the front yard of Malaysia’s security and is a vital maritime security artery for the country, especially for the movement of naval vessels from the Royal Malaysian Navy’s principal base in Lumut to other parts of the country.

The National Defence Policy of Malaysia 2010 demarcates the strait, including its entrance and exit, as geographical areas of Malaysia’s vital interests.

Media plays important role in reporting conflicts in national waters

Media practitioners play an important role in reporting and disseminating information to the public if any conflict occurs in national waters that threatens national security.

Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) chief, Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said TLDM did not want incorrect information to be spread in the social media that could cause fear among the public.

Australian submarine makes surprise appearance in Penang

HMAS Sheean

GEORGE TOWN: An Australian-based submarine made an appearance in Penang waters this morning, to the awe of hundreds of ferry passengers. The HMAS Sheean submarine will berth at the container terminal in Butterworth before sailing off again on Oct 2. 

A spokesman from the Royal Malaysian Navy said the submarine was here for a break. HMAS made a courtesy call on the Resident Naval Officer here. 

The submarine will make an operations call on Sabah from Oct 8 to Oct 12 for training with KD Tunku Abdul Rahman on Oct 12 and Oct 13 respectively. HMAS Sheean is the fifth Collins Class Submarine built by the ASC in Adelaide, Australia. (New Straits Times)

MALAYSIA: MAF PLANS TO CONTINUE COOPERATION WITH PLA IN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia Sept 22 - The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) plans to continue its cooperation with the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) in organising joint exercises in the near future.

MAF Acting Chief, Gen Roslan Saad said both MAF and PLA weighed on the possibility of making this joint exercise an annual or biennial event due to the positive response shown by both sides throughout the programme.

Brunei-Malaysia to boost cooperation in defence science research, technology

BRUNEI and Malaysia discussed bilateral defence cooperation issues recently during the 17th Joint Defence Working Committee (JDWC) meeting between both countries in Penang, Malaysia.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ministry of Defence (MinDef) Permanent Secretary Datin Paduka Hjh Suriyah Hj Umar and Malaysian Ministry of Defence Secretary General Dato’ Sri Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi.

New Air Force base in Sendayan 40 per cent completed

PORT DICKSON: The construction of the new airbase for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in Sendayan, Seremban is now being actively carried out and so far, 40 per cent of the project has been developed.

Air Force chief General Tan Sri Roslan Saad said according to the plan, the new air base was expected to be fully completed by the end of 2016 and operations would begin early the following year.

Malaysian Navy needs more ships to improve security

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) will require additional assets, especially ships, in order to step up security in local waters.

At the moment, six more multi-role naval vessels are needed, said Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar.

Singapore navy rescues crew of capsized Malaysian-registered trawler

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian-registered fishing trawler capsized in Singapore waters on Tuesday morning (Sep 22), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a news release.

MPA received the report at about 9.40am that the trawler had capsized 7 nautical miles north-east of Pedra Branca.

Boustead Heavy Industries Corp gets RM4.8mil naval base job

PETALING JAYA: Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd has received a RM4.8mil contract to the design, construction/adaptation of certain infrastructures of the Royal Malaysian Navy Kota Kinabalu Naval base.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Monday, the company said it got the sub-contract from Trans Resources Corp Sdn Bhd and was formally appointed as the technical assistance and coordination services provider last Friday.

The contract was signed for a period of 12 months, effective from Feb 1, the firm added.

It expected the new job to contribute positively to its earnings for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2016. (The Star)

Royal Thai Army orders additional STARStreak

Thales announced at DSEI that it has signed a multimillion pound contract with DataGate in Thailand to supply the Royal Thai Army with the STARStreak air defence missile system.

This contract follows on from Thailand’s initial purchase of STARStreak in 2012.

Two TNI Soldiers Among Seven Arrested for Alleged Abduction of Malaysian Businessman

Jakarta. Two Indonesian Military, or TNI, soldiers and an ex-police officer were allegedly involved in the abduction of a Malaysian businessman in Jakarta which reportedly stemmed from a failed business venture.

The three are among seven people arrested over the kidnapping of Malaysian national Sahlan bin Bandan earlier this month.

Sahlan was abducted after agreeing to meet the assailants at a McDonald's outlet in Cibubur, East Jakarta on July 15.

16th Malaysia, Philippines Joint Army Training focuses on disaster response, management cooperation

CAPAS, Tarlac, September 16 (PIA) -- The ongoing 16th Land Training Activity of Malaysia and Philippine Armies has focused on intensifying cooperation on disaster response and management as the two neighboring nations continue to experience the detrimental effects of climate change.

“Developing a comprehensive disaster response and management strategy is essential in countries frequently hit by calamities. The overarching duties and responsibilities embedded on the bilateral exercise provide an upper hand defending against regional disasters affecting Malaysia and Philippines,” Army Vice Commander Major General Demosthenes Santillan said.

Boustead Unit Bags RM92m Mindef Contract

Boustead Holdings Bhd’s unit, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd has bagged a RM92.43 million contract from the Ministry of Defence Malaysia (Mindef) for the scheduled refit maintenance of a patrol vessel, known as KD Pahang for the Royal Malaysian Navy. 

In a note to the exchange yesterday, the investment holding company said the KD Pahang work will contribute positively to the earnings of the group for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2015, and 2016. The written acknowledgment was executed on Sept 17, 2015. (The Malaysian Reserve)

MAST welcomes Malaysia move on regional ship security

Maritime security company MAST has welcomed the Malaysian initiative to consider regional cooperation and armed guards on board ships as a step in the right direction but warns that the burden of responsibility will still be with shipping companies to protect their assets and crews.

Malaysian Armed forces to adopt new strategic devt plan

KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Malaysian Armed Forces plan to adopt the Fourth Dimension as its new strategic development plan.

Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Datuk (Dr) Zulkiefli Mohd Zin said the plan is to transform the armed forces into a Full Spectrum Force that is versatile, credible and balanced.

Malaysia, Thailand agree to build common border wall next year

KUALA LUMPUR: To tighten surveillance, Malaysia and Thailand have agreed to build a wall at their common border next year.

Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the pact was reached at the General Border Committee Meeting and it would be referred to Parliament for provision of allocations.

Thales announces order for ForceSHIELD Integrated Air Defence system and STARStreak missiles for Malaysian Armed Forces

Thales announced at DSEI that it has signed a contract with Global Komited, a company within The Weststar Group, to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD, the Thales integrated Advanced Air Defence system.

In addition to the STARStreak missiles, the system comprises CONTROLMaster 200 radar and weapon coordination systems, RAPIDRanger and RAPIDRover mobile weapon systems and the Next Generation Lightweight Multiple Launcher, as well as associated communications.

"Malaysian Army strength in Sabah at the optimum level"

Papar: The army strength in Sabah is now at the optimum level following the deployment of nine battalions with more than 3,000 soldiers who are stationed in various places, including in the East Coast of Sabah.

Outgoing Task Force 450 Commander Major General Datuk Masrani Paiman said their presence has further boosted the security level in Sabah and the country.

Expert interprets China-Malaysia military exercise at Malacca Strait

BEIJING, September 14 (ChinaMil) -- China will assign three naval warships, seven warplanes and 1,160 troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to participate in the first joint military exercise with Malaysia. Since it will be carried out near the strategic waterway of Malacca Strait, the exercise has triggered many speculations and analysis.

Several Chinese military experts elaborated on the background and purpose of this joint military exercise on September 13. They also denied those groundless speculations.

Deftech select Kent Periscopes for Malaysian AV-8 programme

31 May - DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) selected Kent Periscopes Limited as the provider of periscopes and reversionary sights for the new 8x8 Armoured Wheeled Vehicle (AV-8) programme for the Malaysian Armed Forces. The scope of supply covers all periscopes for installation in the vehicle hull, hatches and where applicable turrets, together with our popular Sabre Sight for the 2-Man turret vehicle variant.

Chinese navy fleets leave for China-Malaysia military drill

SANYA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese navy fleets on Saturday left a port in Sanya in south China's Hainan Province for a military exercise jointly held by China and Malaysia.

The drill, coded "Peace and Friendship 2015," is scheduled to be held from September 17 to 22 in the Malacca Strait and surrounding waters.

It will include exercises for joint escort, joint search and rescue, hijacked vessel rescue, weapons use, humanitarian rescue and disaster relief.

Missing MV Sah Lian found, crew safe

KUALA LUMPUR: The MV Sah Lian, which had been reported missing in the South China Sea since Sept 7, has been found.

Sarawak Region enforcement chief Maritime First Admiral Ismaili Bujang Pit said, the cargo ship was located at around 4pm Thursday approximately 30 nautical miles from Miri.

Boustead Secures Royal Malaysian Navy Contract Extension

Boustead Holdings Bhd received a contract extension for the supply and delivery of spare parts, maintenance services and training for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s 23rd Frigate Squadron.

The Company’s subsidiary, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd, received a Letter of Award on September 3, for a period of two years, until September 9, 2017. The remaining contract value is RM 43,4 million (USD 10 million).

To remind, BNS received the contract from the Ministry of Defence Malaysia in September 2012 at a contract value of RM 70 million (USD 16 million) for a period of three years.

Philippines, Australia to conduct ‘dusk’ and ‘dawn’ Special Forces exercises

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The armies of the Philippines and Australia will conduct two joint exercises to be held separately in both countries this year in line with their existing defense cooperation program.

Based on the Philippine Army training program for 2015, the two exercises are the Philippine-Australia Exercise ‘Dusk’ Caracha and the Philippine-Australia Exercise ‘Dawn’ Caracha.

The United States and Malaysia Partner to Promote Peacekeeping at Multinational Exercise Keris Aman

"Malaysia’s own dedication to peacekeeping is truly exceptional. In 1960, only three years after gaining its own independence, Malaysia sent its first group of military personnel to support the UN mission in the Republic of Congo. Since then, Malaysia has deployed tens of thousands of its troops to serve as peacekeepers in some of the most challenging war zones on earth -– from Sudan, to Lebanon, to Bosnia, to Timor-Leste. The bravery of Malaysia’s soldiers cannot be overstated. In 1993, two helicopters carrying American forces were shot down over Mogadishu -- Somalia’s capital city -- leaving U.S. soldiers trapped in hostile territory. As Americans bravely held their ground, Malaysian and Pakistani peacekeepers launched a mission to rescue the trapped soldiers. One Malaysian soldier and one Pakistani solider paid the ultimate price," Assistant Secretary for State for Political-Military Affairs Puneet Talwar

Read more here: https://blogs.state.gov/stories/2015/09/04/united-states-and-malaysia-partner-promote-peacekeeping-multinational-exercise#sthash.tfN8t8xk.dpuf

Philippine Army to conduct drills with Indonesia, Malaysia

THE PHILIPPINE Army is conducting two sets of separate bilateral military drills this month with Indonesia and Malaysia, in a bid to enhance the interoperability of their militaries and develop anti-insurgency strategies.

The annual bilateral exercise between the Philippine Army and the Malaysian Army, dubbed the Training Activity Land Malaysia-Philippines (MALPHI), is scheduled from Sept. 9 to 21 at the Peacekeeping Operations Center in Camp O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac.

Indonesian Navy nab Malaysian ship hijacking suspect

31 August, Jakarta: The Indonesian Navy has detained the suspected mastermind behind the hijacking of Malaysian oil tanker, MT Orkim Harmony. Local English newspaper, The Jakarta Post quoted Navy spokesman Col M. Zainudin as saying the Navy’s Western Fleet Quick Response (WFQR) IV team had nabbed the Indonesian suspect at an apartment in Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta on Thursday. 

Malaysian Navy officer detained over dodgy RM800,000 contract

PETALING: A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) officer was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over corrupt practices in procuring naval assets.

A source told The Star that the officer, who was based in the Lumut RMN base, was detained on Tuesday morning by MACC over a contract worth about RM800,000.

New head of Thai army confirmed: Report

A new head of the Thai army has been confirmed as part of a military reshuffle endorsed by the King, according to a report.

General Thirachai Nakwanich, assistant army chief, will succeed General Udomdej Sitabutr, who will retire at the end of September.

Malaysian military implements initiatives to beef up security

SEPANGGAR: The Malaysian Armed Forces is implementing nine initiatives to beef up the level of security in Sabah, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said among them were the deployment of two sea basings, namely the Tun Azizan naval base and Tun Sharifah Rodziah naval base to enhance maritime security in the waters off Sabah east coast.

China, Malaysia to hold joint military drill

BEIJING, Aug. 27 -- China and Malaysia will hold a joint military exercise from mid-to-late September in the Malacca Strait and its surrounding area, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday.