Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said authorisation granted to Malaysia by the Philippines government to enter its waters in pursuit of kidnappers will ease operations carried out by law enforcement agencies in the waters of Sabah.
Ahmad Zahid in welcoming the decision by the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said the move had paved the way for better cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of both Malaysia and the Philippines to help solve kidnap for ransom activities undertaken by terrorist groups who have fled to southern Philippines.
"The Malaysian government appreciate the approval given by President Duterte to the Malaysian authorities," he said when commenting on Duterte's decision at a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in Putrajaya Thursday.
Najib, when announcing the matter said under the agreement the Malaysian authorities had been requested to contact the Philippines army when arriving in the territorial waters of that country to continue their pursuit, so that the Philippine authorities would be aware of their presence.
Najib said earlier Duterte had given the same authorisation to Indonesian President Jokowi and the defence ministers of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia would meet in Vientiane, Laos on Nov 22 to discuss a standard operating procedure (SOP) and legal aspects of the operational plan.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also home minister, is on a five-day working visit to the United Kingdom, beginning Monday.
He said the previous operations to curb kidnap-for-ransom involving Malaysians often remained at a stalemate as the kidnappers fled into the Philippine territorial waters.
Ahmad Zahid visited the Airbus Defence and Space factory in the city, which is located 50km to the north of London.
The factory, among others designs and produces satellites, telecommunication systems as well as science and navigation space programmes.
It has also developed a six-wheeled vehicle called ExoMars Rover which will be used for a Mars exploration mission.
The deputy prime minister's delegation is also joined by Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi.
Bernama
Fri Nov 11 2016
He said this will help solve kidnap for ransom activities undertaken by terrorist groups who have fled to southern Philippines.
China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands
Beijing looks to improve its foothold in a region historically under the US sphere of influence.
Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
Washington's approach changes dramatically with the initial meeting between US and Russian negotiators.
Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Sara Duterte makes her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office.
Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch
I feel so full of life, so much energy, because everything's new and I'm just focused on what is up ahead, Hamilton says.
UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians
The UAE's stance matters as its one of four Arab nations that normalised ties with Israel during Trumps first term.
Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time
The megastar's "The Tortured Poets Department" record also topped four IFPI charts, the IFPI says.
More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says
Years of rebuilding work, including clearing unexploded ordinance and millions of tonnes of rubble lie ahead.
Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew
Liew Chin Tong says the restrictions would not affect the development of the domestic data centre ecosystem as a whole.
Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action, the Supreme Court says.
![[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream")
[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream
The Gaza plan is dangerous and counter-productive as it's merely another recipe for regional instability.
Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings
After climbing to a career-best world number seven, national women's squash ace S. Sivasangari is determined to keep rising.
Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the disciplinary committee has not received any reports related to the incident so far.
US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
The case raises questions about Musk's apparent unchecked authority as a top deputy to President Donald Trump.
Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
Rescue crews trying to save the majority of the large dolphins that survived the ordeal, according to authorities.
Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
The AP, citing editorial standards, says it would continue to use the gulf's established name.
China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says
This is part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.
Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC
Tiger Woods makes his first start since the death of his mother when he competed in a TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens.
Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
A total of 34 people were charged, including several military officials.
Trump and Musk target tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators for job cuts
Concerns grow over transparency, oversight, and Musk's influence on government operations.