RMN assets involved in tripartie cooperation will be deployed according to schedule

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) vessels that would carry out patrols and joint monitoring between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in the Sulu Sea, will be deployed according to the stipulated schedule.

RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said the joint patrols, which would be conducted in coordination and involved intelligence and operations, would be launched on June 19.

"The number of assets involved will depend on the prevailing situation, however, we at RMN are committed to deploy our vessels in the Sulu Sea according to the schedule to be decided," he told reporters at the breaking of fast gathering at RMN naval base here today.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman said tripartite cooperation in the Sulu Sea would be carried out continuously as part of RMN commitment to help curb maritime crimes and to ensure that the Sulu Sea was safe for merchant shipping.

On May 16, his deputy Datuk Anuwi Hassan reportedly said that the tripartite cooperation involving Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in conducting joint patrols and monitoring of the Sulu Sea was expected to be launched this month (June).

Earlier, a total of 40 orphans from Raudhatul Nur Jannah, Gombak, were treated at the breaking of fast, organised by the KD Sri Gombak naval base here tonight.

The event was also attended by Setiawangsa Member of Parliament Datuk Ahmad Fauzi Zahari, where the orphans received 'duit raya' and goodies presented by Ahmad Kamarulzaman and Ahmad Fauzi respectively.

- BERNAMA