‘ALLEGATIONS NOT TRUE’

Malaysian armed forces personnel not involved in war in Yemen, says Defence Ministry

THE Defence Ministry has dismissed allegations that Malaysian armed forces personnel were involved in military operations and the war in Yemen.

It said in a statement the claims were untrue, slanderous, baseless, and with negative intent to tarnish the good name of the ministry, the armed forces and Malaysia.

“The Defence Ministry’s Office views such allegations seriously.

“As mentioned by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, our armed forces personnel have not been involved in any Saudi Arabian military campaign against the revolt in Yemen,” the ministry said.

It said the deployment of armed forces personnel to Saudi Arabia was, firstly, to prepare themselves to face any possibility, including moving the remaining Malaysians who were there, if the need arose.

“This is because there are Malaysians in Yemen.

“The mission to move them is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to help Malaysians who are in distress in a country that is experiencing unrest.”

Secondly, the ministry said, the armed forces had been invited by Saudi Arabia to take part in the Northern Thunder, a military exercise to foster unity among Muslim countries.

The training, it said, was to give exposure to and experience of a military operation in an environment very much different from Malaysia.

“Armed forces personnel are taking part in the training for the first time. It will be useful to them,” it said.

The ministry, however, said the involvement of armed forces personnel in both matters was strictly in Saudi Arabia.

“This is because armed forces personnel are not allowed to cross borders and enter Yemen, more so into any rebel territory.

“As a matter of fact, our policy of not crossing Saudi Arabian borders has not changed.

“The ministry’s office would like to stress that the issue, which has gone viral, is an allegation that is untrue.”