Malaysian Armed Forces and Japan to collaborate in HADR operations

The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Japan will work collaboratively to share information and expertise in managing humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) operations.

Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the cooperation and information sharing efforts would be through training programmes to be conducted for ATM members at the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) in Port Dickson beginning next year.

"I have met up with my Japanese counterpart to discuss on this, and after these training programmes, ATM will be able to assist other local and foreign agencies to be ready for all future eventualities," he told reporters after a ceremony to hand over 2016 official calendars at Wisma Perwira here, today.

Also present were Royal Malaysian Navy chief, Admiral Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin and Royal Malaysian Air Force chief, Gen Tan Sri Roslan Saad.

Commenting on Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's proposal to increase assets and equipment in Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) areas, he said it was the right move in an effort to strengthen national security.

"I welcome the proposal to improve security in ESSCom areas and the additional assets such as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will allow wider land and sea coverage," he added.