ATM, TNI enhance cooperation in disaster management via joint exercise

KUANTAN: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Indonesian National Army (TNI) plan to enhance cooperation in disaster management via the land, sea and air joint exercise ( LATGABMA MALINDO DARSASA).

ATM chief Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the first joint exercise with the humanitarian aid and disaster relief theme would enable both countries to share knowledge, expertise and exchange information to address disasters efficiently.

“LATGABMA’s objective is to create a concept of joint operations on the field and improve their capaabilities and apply the doctrine to address disasters,” he told reporters after launching the joint exercise at Maritime Regional Headquarters 1 ( MAWILLA 1) in Tanjung Gelang, near here yesterday.

Also present were Malaysian Army chief, Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and TNI chief of staff, Associate Admiral Dr Didit Herdiawan.

Zulkifeli said the joint exercise was the best platform for the ATM and the TNI to raise the level of professionalism and apply it when dealing with real disasters.

“LATGABMA is a manifestation of the togetherness and cohesion between Malaysia and Indonesia towards meeting their common interests in confronting future challenges.

“Take advantage of this opportunity to maximise the potential and apply the doctrine to deal with disasters effectively,” he added.

LATGABMA involves the Table Top Excercise ( TTX), the Computer War System ( SOPK) and the Command Post Exercise ( CPX) at MAWILIA 1 and Force Integration Training ( FIT) and Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Kuala Kemaman, Terengganu.

Some 1,844 participants from the ATM (1,281), the Royal Malaysian Police ( 50) and the TNI ( 513) are involved in the joint exercise.

It is held on rotation basis between the ATM and TNI once every three years. — Bernama