Malaysian and Indonesian navies to focus on improving ties

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) will give new focus emphasizing on efforts to improve the existing ties between the two nations.

RMN chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said among the approaches to be adopted were to strengthen people-to-people relationships, and not to take heed of things that could jeopardise the bilateral ties between the two countries.

He said the new approaches were among the matters discussed during his courtesy call on the Indonesian Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu here today.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman said the navies of both countries also agreed to emphasize on efforts to enhance military cooperation to face common threats.

"Malaysia and Indonesia are facing common threats, such as the militants, drug trafficking and cross-border crimes, and we must improve our cooperation to combat crime together," he told reporters after meeting with Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim here.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman said that during the courtesy call, Ryamizard also said that the good relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia navies was not only established through joint exercise, but also through personal ties at various levels.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman, who was appointed Navy chief last November, said among the reasons for his first visit to Indonesia was to pave the way for improving economical, political and social cooperation between both countries.

However, he said both parties did not raise the 'issue' of maritime borders, as they felt it was not really an issue, but more of a mapping problem of boundaries which were set during the colonial period.

"The real issues (discussed) were those of parties coming from outside, such as terrorists and militant groups," he said, adding that the RMN also agreed to send two military ships to participate in a joint military exercise in Padang, West Sumatra in April.