Mindef still waiting for official report on militant’s death

KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry ( Mindef) is still waiting for the confirmation report from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Defence Intelligence Staff Division ( BSPP) on the death of Malaysian militant Dr Mahmud Ahmad in a battle with armed forces in Marawi, Philippines on Wednesday.

Its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said even though the highest Philippines authorities had confirmed the death of Mahmud but ATM BSPP had yet to receive any report on the matter.

“I only depended on ATM BSPP intelligence sources to confirm the matter and we are checking.

“If it was true that Mahmud was killed in the battle, it would not change anything. The militant threat will continue if it is not dealt with,” he said in a media conference after the

I only depended on ATM BSPP intelligence sources to confirm the matter and we are checking. If it was true that Mahmud was killed in the battle, it would not change anything. The militant threat will continue if it is not dealt with. Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Defence

Defence Ministry’s 2050 National Transformation Dialogue ( TN50D) session at Wisma Perwira here.

Hishammuddin said the ministry was consistent in supporting all efforts to eradicate the dissemination of Deash teachings in the region.

“As such we have set up a Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement, a Trilateral Maritime Patrol and a Trilateral Air Patrol to combat the issue at Sulu Sea.

“Apart from that, I will be going to Manila next week to attend the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) which among others will discuss the issue of terrorists and terrorism in Marawi,” he said.

Also present were Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor as TN50D moderator, Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, Army chief Tan Sri Zulkiple Kassim and Air Force chief Tan Sri Affendi Buang. — Bernama