Obama, SE Asian leaders seek resolution to maritime disputes

Source: San Diego Tribune

RANCHO MIRAGE, California: US President Barack Obama and the leaders of Southeast Asia called Tuesday for peaceful resolution of the region’s maritime disputes as they concluded a summit in California. 

Obama told a news conference that disputes must be resolved by legal means, including a case brought by the Philippines challenging China’s sweeping claims over most of the South China Sea. China has refused to take part in the proceedings, but Obama said parties to the UN law of the seas are obligated to respect the ruling, expected later this year. 

Obama has been hosting 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, in the US for the first time. That sends a subtle message to China that the US remains an important force in the region. But the leaders’ joint statement after two days of talks avoided direct reference to China, reflecting the careful path that Asean members tread in their diplomacy with the world powers. 

Ministry sets up brigade to beef up border security

Source: Asian Border Traveller

LUNDU: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has announced the setup of the Malaysian Army’s five-battalion-strong 31st Border Brigade, which will be based in Bintulu, to tighten border and national security.

The formation of this brigade would strengthen control and security along the borders of Sabah and Sarawak—Kalimantan, Indonesia, stretching 2,019.5km, he said at a press conference after visiting the Joint Border Post of Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Indonesian National Army (TNI) at Biawak nere here yesterday.

Malaysia pursues diplomatic solution to Chinese coastguard vessels near Sarawak

Gambar hiasan. Source: Internet

KUCHING - Malaysia will continue to pursue a diplomatic solution to the presence of Chinese coastguard vessels near Beting Patinggi Ali off the Sarawak coast.

Defence Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein said the situation was under control as diplomatic efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue.

"The diplomatic channel for handling territorial issues in the South China Sea comes under Wisma Putra. For the Defence Ministry and armed forces, we will wait for instructions but we will also continue our efforts through military diplomacy," he told reporters after visiting the Heroes Grave here recently.

Hisham: Sabah security sufficient to thwart IS threat

Sabah. Source: Internet

KUCHING: Sufficient measures have been taken to beef up security in Sabah to face the Islamic State (IS) threat, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said.

The Defence Minister, who is in Sarawak on a three-day working visit, said the best efforts had been put in to implement the measures in Sabah.

They include refurbishing two offshore oil platforms as offshore bases, upgrading the Hawk aircraft stationed in Sabah and equipping Blackhawk and Nuri helicopters with weapons.

Cubic to Continue Supporting Simulation Training at the Joint Multinational Simulation Center with $33.7 Million Contract Award

Joint Multinational Simulation Center

SAN DIEGO – February 10, 2016 – Cubic Global Defense (CGD), a business unit of Cubic Corporation , announced the award of a five-year, $33.7 million contract to support the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) Joint Multinational Simulation Center (JMSC), headquartered in Grafenwoehr, Germany; and the USAREUR Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) headquartered in Hohenfels, Germany. 

Continuing the current five-year contract, Cubic will maintain its role in assisting the JMSC with the execution of Mission Rehearsal Exercises (MRE) and training events; constructive simulation training for joint, combined, NATO and partner-nation units and leaders; and combatant Commanders’ engagement strategies.

Saudi envoy lauds Malaysia’s role in combating terrorism

Police officers from the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division. Source: The Star

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — The authorities’ recent success in detaining terror suspects and Islamic State supporters, received praise from Saudi Arabian envoy Fahad Abdullah Al-Rashid, who felt that in this regard Malaysia could somewhat contribute towards the Saudi Arabia-led alliance of 34 Muslim nations in combating terrorism.

The ambassador to Malaysia said that this country was an important and advanced Islamic nation, not only in terms of its military but also its intelligence unit.

“Malaysia’s strength in the intelligence unit is highly welcomed in this alliance,” he told Bernama in a recent interview.

Launch of military blimp delayed

Example of an aerostat. Source: Raytheon

Safety concerns have, for now, grounded plans by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to fly a radar-equipped balloon that can spot hostile threats coming from as far as Malacca.

The 55m-long helium-filled military blimp, known as an aerostat, was supposed to be airborne early last year to watch over Singapore.

But its launch was delayed because the giant balloon's United States-based manufacturer TCOM has failed to meet the RSAF's safety and operational requirements, The Sunday Times has learnt.

GOF to reinforce state’s Border Security Agency

Pic: Wikipedia

SIBU: General Operations Force (GOF) has been enlisted to assist the Border Security Agency (BSA) to add more bite in curbing border crimes, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“BSA has been upgraded administratively to replace the Smuggling Prevention Unit (UPP) and we have absorbed GOF to be in BSA.

“For now, we have mobilised (BSA) along borders in the northern Peninsula in the early stage.

MMEA ups security with armed forces on vessels

Pic: The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has upped the ante in the battle against any future hijackings at sea by placing armed personnel on vessels. 

Its director-general, Datuk Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, said the placement of armed officers on vessels is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on whether the ships could be a “possible target” for hijackers.

MD HELICOPTERS TO SUPPLY NEW MD 530G SCOUT ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO MALAYSIA’S MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Mesa, Ariz., February 1, 2015 – MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) is pleased to announce that it succeeded in its bid to supply six (6) MD 530G Scout Attack Helicopters to Malaysia’s Ministry of Defense. MDHI will deliver the launch helicopters to Malaysian Army Aviation (Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat; PUTD) beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016, with the full fleet to deliver by the end of Q1 2017. 

With this installation, MD Helicopters becomes the only rotorcraft original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to introduce and field two new Scout Attack Helicopter Programs, each within 12-months from award.