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.

"This is just the beginning of our first exercise with PLA as there are lots of positive responses from both parties regarding the exercise.

"I am looking forward to future exercises, with China as the next host of this event," he told reporters at a press conference after the closing ceremony of the six-day Peace and Friendship Exercise 2015 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Subang Air Base today.

The closing ceremony was officiated by Defence Deputy Minister Wira Mohd Johari Baharum.

Also present were Deputy Chief of General PLA, Lieutenant General Yi Xiaoguang and Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Malaysia, Huang Huikang.

Meanwhile, Mohd Johari said the military manoeuvre had successfully achieved its objective, especially in learning the steps taken to overcome the non-traditional threats such as natural disasters and other global security threats.

He said the inaugural exercise had benefited the MAF in terms of applying telemedicine and ways to expedite the discussion with the hospitals, and methodsto overcome the serious contagious disease outbreaks befitting its theme,'Managing Non-traditional Threats and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief'.

"In this event, it can be seen that PLA has shared its knowledge and experience in helping the World Health rganisation to combat the Ebola outbreak that hit West Africa last year.

"Apart from strengthening the strategic relations between the two nations, exchange of information, best practices in operations, mutual understanding and cooperation in coping with such disasters are some of the benefits that this inaugural exercise has created," added Mohd Johari.

The 'Peace and Friendship Exercise 2015' saw the participation of nearly 2,000 Malaysian and China Armed Forces personnel in the inaugural bilateral training programme from Sept 17 to 22, which was conducted in the airspace andthe waters off the Melaka Strait, and several places in Selangor for land exercises.

The exercise, held in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations involved 28 combined assets from both sides, and is deemed historical as Malaysia is the first country chosen by PLA for its first bilateral exercise in the Southeast Asia region. (NNN-BERNAMA)