3 nations to have representatives to discuss intelligence data
TENOM: Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed that each country should appoint a “point of contact” (POC) from their military and police personnel to facilitate exchange of intelligence on security threats, including from Islamic State militants.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the decision was made by the three countries at the INDOMALPHI Trilateral Intelex meeting on security recently in Manila.
Malaysia was represented by the Armed Forces Defence Intelligence director-general and the Royal Malaysia Police Special Branch director.
He said during the meeting, the three countries agreed that discussions and meetings among the representative of each country be held every three months on a rotational basis, and Malaysia was appointed as organiser for the second meeting, expected to take place in October.
“Indeed, this initiative is important and historic for Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines as it is the first collaboration involving all three countries to combine military and police elements to discuss and share intelligence information,” he said here.
He described the approach as timely, adding that it could make a positive impact on efforts to address the threat of violence in Southeast Asia. Bernama