MALAYSIA DEFENCE CHIEF CALLS FOR SAFEGUARD OF MALAYSIA, INDONESIA FRATERNITY

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Chief of Defence Force of Malaysia, General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, has called for the safeguard of the bond and close ties between Malaysia and Indonesia against foreign interference and attempts to stir up controversy.

He also reminded all parties to be wary of the influence of social media, whose agenda can be detrimental to the harmonious ties between the two countries.

“This relationship needs to be safeguarded against polemics and foreign interference that can undermine or be detrimental to our long-standing harmonious relations,” he said during a speech at the Malaysia-Indonesia High-Level Committee (HLC Malindo) meeting here, on Tuesday.

“Vigilance must also be applied on social media and its occasionally mischievous agenda,” added Mohd Nizam, who jointly chaired the meeting with Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, General Agus Subiyanto.

Mohd Nizam stressed that relations between the two countries are not based solely on mutual interest.  Rather, they are also driven by solidarity form a shared history, culture, and ancestry.

He said the HLC Malindo remains an important platform for strengthening defence cooperation, building rapport, and maintaining kinship, done with responsibility, integrity, and professionalism to ensure lasting stability in the region.

“HLC Malindo and the working groups within it remains the main mechanism to empower defence cooperation, align strategies, and manage a common security in general,” he explained.

Earlier, Agus described the cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia as a special and unique bond, and stressed that the collaboration between the Indonesian and Malaysian armed forces serves as the backbone that supports efforts to make ASEAN a region of peace, stability, and prosperity.

On the agenda was a presentation of the progress reports of the Coordinated Operation Control Committee, Joint Exercise Committee, Joint Police Coordinating Committee, and the socio-economic work group.

-- BERNAMA