Malaysia will share intelligence with US marine forces to combat IS

Malaysia will share intelligence with the United States (US) Marine Corps Forces to combat the 'so-called IS militant group's threat' in this region.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Malaysia and Asean nations could not take such threats for granted.

"The US experience in dealing with the IS in the Middle East is important for us to share information and intelligence," he told the media after meeting with the visiting US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Commander Lt Gen John A.Toolan at the ministry here Monday.

Toolan said the US Marine Corps would strengthen its collaboration with the Malaysian Armed Forces, such as conducting joint training in the provision of military assistance in the event of disasters.

"We look forward to working in smart partnership in disaster relief or any crisis that may occur, and we want to be able to familiarise ourselves with each other in order to operate together, so that we can resolve any challenge that may pop up," he added.

Hishammuddin, who will be leaving for Myanmar today to attend the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM,) said he and his Asean counterparts would discuss security issues that could affect the region's stability.

"We will engage and find the necessary mechanisms to combat extreme militancy via intelligence sharing, training and using available technology and assets," he said.

On the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 which was downed in Ukraine, Hishammuddin said the public should wait until the international body set up to investigate the shooting of the aircraft, had completed its investigations.

International media had recently reported about photographs, said to be taken by a satellite, which appeared to show a fighter jet firing a missile at a passenger plane over eastern Ukraine where MH17 was shot down last July 17, killing all 298 crew and passengers on board.