Joint fight against terror

> M’sia, Bahrain to have military-to-military cooperation and joint exercises: Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Bahrain will enhance cooperation in sharing of intelligence and experience to deal with the growing threat of terrorism.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation and exchange with Bahrain, both countries agreed to intensify cooperation, especially in dealing with terror networks and the growing threat posed by Islamic State.

He said through the MoU, the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) would also further explore military-to-military cooperation which included joint training, exercises, and exchange of military personnel between the armed forces of both countries.

“Both nations have also agreed to cooperate in facing the threat of militancy not only in the military context, but also with soft power from the aspects of ideology and counter narratives,” he said in a joint press conference with Bahrain Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Ahmed.

Sheikh Khalid is here to accompany Bahrain King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, whose four-day state visit to Malaysia ended yesterday, Bernama reported.

King Hamad was here since last Sunday at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V.

This is the Ruler’s first state visit to Malaysia since ascending to the throne on March 6, 1999.

Hishammuddin said Malaysia and Bahrain also acknowledged the importance of moderation as an approach to promote dialogue, mutual respect, understanding and tolerance to counter all forms of extremism, adding that the Malaysian Global Movement of Moderates Foundation could play a role towards this.

At another event, Kheikh Khalid said Bahrain wishes to set up an embassy in Kuala Lumpur to enhance bilateral relations between both countries.

He said although his government has a limited number of embassies throughout the world, a team will be sent to Malaysia to evaluate the possible location and other preparations.

“His Majesty King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa has instructed us to open up an embassy here in Kuala Lumpur.

“So within this two months, our technical team will come here and look into the right premises and look into the necessary arrangement to open up the embassy here,” he added.