Turkey ready to work with Malaysia to tackle terrorism

Turkey wants to work with Malaysia to tackle terrorism, especially the so-called IS militant or Daish terrorist group.

Turkey Defence Deputy Minister Suay Alpay said the country was impressed with Malaysia's experience and measures in dealing with the threat.

"Malaysia is one of the countries in ASEAN that we want to cooperate with," he said at the Putrajaya Forum 2016 themed 'Regional Cooperation in Addressing Security Challenges' at the Sunway Putra Hotel here, Monday.

Alpay, who was one of the speakers in the forum, said they supported an organised region like ASEAN and want to learn more about ASEAN.

Malaysia has vast experience in tackling terrorism since the communist insurgency in the 40's-60's as well as other terror groups such as Al-Maunah and Jemaah Islamiyah.

Singapore Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen who was another speaker at the forum said countries in ASEAN need to strengthen intelligence to curb the threat from Daish terrorist groups.

"We take this threat very seriously and I with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein see a need to step up intelligence. So far we have stepped up intelligence with United States and Australia," he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak opened the forum.

The forum was held in conjunction with the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA) 2016.