ARMY CHIEF: RI-MALAYSIA RELATIONS BASED ON MUTUAL RESPECT

Jakarta, April 1 (ANTARA) - Army Chief of Staff General George Toisutta said bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia must be based upon mutual respect including in the military field.

He made the statement when receiving the new Malaysian military attache, Brigadier General Haji Mohamad Anuar bin Rijaludi, and the former Malaysian military attache, Brigadier General Dato Mohamad Ramli bin Jaafar, here on Thursday.

according to an Army press statement received by ANTARA, during the meeting General Toisutta expressed appreciation to the former military attache for his efforts to build good relations between the two countries' militaries, their armies in particular.

He hoped the good and harmonious relations cooperation remained based on mutual respect and could be improved in the future.

On April 2, the two countries' militaries would stage a joint military exercise in Malaysia.

The Latgabma Malindo Darsasa 7AB/2010 sea, air and land joint exercise will be opened by Malysian Armed Forces (ATM) Commander General Tan Sri Dato Sri Azizan Arifin and Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Djoko Santoso.

During the exercise period the two armies would also conduct social services such as building an Islamic school in the Tanah Malaka mosque compound and Medical, Dental and Engineering Civic Action Programs.

This program is aimed at demonstrating the spirit of cooperation between the local people and the TNI and the ATM.