Indonesia, Malaysia agree on joint border patrols in Kalimantan

W Kalimantan, July 19 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to strengthen their synergy in deploying their servicemen to secure the boundary markers of their land borders in West Kalimantan's eastern sector, an Indonesian military officer stated.

The 121/Abw Military Command Post Chief of Staff Colonel Mohamad Isnaeni said that the two parties recently signed the agreement to conduct joint border patrols to secure the Indonesia-Malaysia boundary marks.

Isnaeni noted that he signed the letter of agreement along with his counterpart, Malaysia's 3rd Infantry Brigade Chief of Staff Lt Col Ahmad Halim bin Hj Mohd Rosli, representing the Royal Malaysian Army (TDM).

Speaking in Sintang District, West Kalimantan, on Thursday, Isnaeni noted that the joint border patrols would be conducted by several personnel of the 5/Abw Combat Engineer Battalion (Yonzipur) Border Security Task Force and 10 personnel of TDM's Royal Ranger Regiment (RRD).

In addition to border patrols, Isnaeni said, the two armies have pledged to conduct community services and other activities by involving local residents in border areas.

Those activities aim to secure the two countries' boundary lines and to strengthen Indonesia and Malaysia's friendship, he added.

Malaysia's 3rd Infantry Brigade Chief of Staff Lt Col Ahmad Halim bin Hj Mohd Rosli welcomed the agreement, saying that the TNI-AD and TDM would hopefully maintain their good relations.

As reported earlier, the Indonesian and Malaysian armed forces continue to intensify their relations.

In May, Indonesia and Malaysia conducted a joint air patrol to secure the Malacca Strait, which is a vital waterway for global trade.

For the joint air patrol, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) dispatched two F-16s, while the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) deployed F-18 Hornets.

According to a press statement recently issued by the TNI-AU, the two Indonesian fighter jets of Squadron 16 took off from the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Riau Province.

First Lieutenant Galih Rakasiwi and First Lieutenant Ghazi Umar Marzuq piloted the F-16s. They met with their Malaysian counterparts while flying over the Strait of Malacca.

According to the chief of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base, Air Commodore Feri Yunaldi, the Indonesian and Malaysian air forces are working together to maintain peace and security in the Malacca Strait.

He said that the joint air patrol would strengthen the two countries' bilateral and military ties, adding that both Indonesia and Malaysia would secure their respective air sovereignty.

He pointed out that the joint air patrol demonstrates the two countries' commitment to securing regional peace and security, which would benefit the region's economic growth and stability.