KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has offered all necessary assistance to Philippines in its fight against extremism in Mindanao.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he relayed Malaysia’s intention to the Asean nation’s Defence Secretary Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana today.
“I had contacted my Philippine counterpart, Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana to inform him of Malaysia’s readiness to assist the Philippines involving any extremism threats,” he said in a statement today.
Hishammuddin said he had been in constant touch with his Asean counterparts to discuss strategies and the best approach to combat Islamic State (IS).
“Malaysia will not bow down to the threats of IS and will continue working closely with Asean nations to ensure IS’s desire to take foothold and govern in the region, fails,” he said.
Hishammuddin said the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia had launched the Indomalphi Trilateral Maritime Patrol to curb the influence of local terror groups in the Sulu Sea.
As yet another measure to enhance security in the Sulu Seas, he said the three nations would also be setting up a Trilateral Air Patrol which would be launched in Subang.
He adds that Malaysia, with the United States and several other countries in the Middle East will exchange information to counter threats coming from the IS.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin, who is also the Special Functions Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said he will be making a working visit to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain soon to meet the countries’ leaders to get a clearer picture of the situation in the Middle East.
“For my trip to Saudi Arabia, I would be meeting the crown prince Mohammed Salman Al Saud who is also Saudi Arabia Defence Minister to discuss on the setting up of the King Salman Centre For International Peace (KSCIP) in Kuala Lumpur.
“(We) will also be discussing on best approaches in identifying the counter narrative initiative to contain the spread of extremism,” he said.
Hishammuddin said he monitors the development involving militant groups in the Middle East especially the IS, as such developments taking place there could also impact the safety of Malaysia and the region.