MEDAN, 10 NOV – Malaysia and its neighbour Indonesia have agreed to strengthen security and stability within the airspace of their countries.
This followed a recent high-level ‘Coordination Meeting and Coordinated Air Patrol Series 2/2023’ (PATKOR MALINDO) undertaken by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU).
The three-day event was held at the National Air Operations Sector 1 Command Centre in Medan, Sumatra.
A TNI-AU statement stated that both countries would coordinate air operations, joint air patrols and share relevant strategic information for their mutual benefit.
“This is a joint commitment in maintaining the peace and stability of the area, as well as strengthening relations and increasing the ability to conduct air operations.
“The meeting also discussed various aspects of cooperation, including the planning of joint air operations and the exchange of information on air border security for the benefit of both parties,” the statement read.
Malaysia and Indonesia, among others, also engage in the annual Regional Border Committee meetings as well as the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting concerning bilateral and regional security.
The seven-member RMAF delegation was led by the Air Operations Command Headquarters Staff Officer 1 Lt Col Ramlan Mohd Yunus.
Also present were the RMAF liaison officer in Medan Major Hisham Arizal Muhammad and the assistant defence advisor at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta Lt Col Aznan Alias.
It was the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when the meeting was held face-to-face, rather than via video conferencing.
It augured well to further boost the close existing bilateral relationship and contribute to a mutual understanding between the RMAF and the TNI-AU in defence diplomacy.
Meanwhile, the RMAF delegation was earlier met by Consul-General of Malaysia Aiyub Omar at the Consulate General of Malaysia in Medan.
Aiyub expressed for continued safety of the airspace over the Straits of Malacca through the Malaysia-Indonesia joint air patrols. – airtimes.my
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