ID :
154182
Tue, 12/21/2010 - 11:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/154182
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES CONTINUES TO SHINE IN HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS THROUGHOUT 2010
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The highlight of the international
peacekeeping and humanitarian missions mounted by the Malaysian Armed Forces
(MAF) was the recognition given by the world's sole super power, the United
States, on their soundness.
The US, regarded as the "world police", admitted that the approach used by
the MAF in handling conflicts and global issues while carrying out their
international duties without using violence, was commendable, and that Malaysia
was a friend in this region for the major powers.
Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, had said that Malaysia's moderate
stance in tackling global issues had been translated by the MAF through free
trade, adherence to international law, and transparency in using the
international maritime lanes, airspace and cyberspace.
Gates said this when he made a courtesy call on Defence Minister Dr Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi on Nov 9, this year.
Ahmad Zahid said the combination of the three services -- Army, Royal
Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) -- of the MAF in the
Malaysian contingents for the peacekeeping missions was the best model for such
efforts.
The good cooperation and coordination between the three services of the MAF
has been beneficial as it has brought recognition and commendation too from
various quarters, including several foreign countries and the United Nations
(UN).
Among the peacekeeping missions mounted by Malaysia was to Lebanon through
Malcon and Malbat which were involved in operations to maintain security and
stability in the turbulent country throughout 2010.
There was increased trust of the UN in Malaysia's peacekeeping ability when
the area it was entrusted to monitor and guard was expanded from eight square
kilometres to 14 sq km.
Besides Malcon and Malbat, Malaysia also sent its contingents known as
Malcon ISAF (International Security Asssistance Force) to Afghanistan in July
and September to assist in the reconstruction and redevelopment of the
strife-torn country.
The Afghanistan government views Malaysia as an OIC (Organisation of the
Islamic Conference) country that actively involves itself in humanitarian
missions.
Hence, Afghanistan asked for Malaysia's assistance in redeveloping the
country which has suffered from destruction and backwardness as a result of the
long-drawn war.
Apart from humanitarian missions abroad, domestically the MAF had also been
actively helping fellow Malaysians throughout 2010.
For instance, it provided three C-130 aircraft of the RMAF on Nov 7 to bring
back 401 Malaysians stranded in Yogyakarta, Indonesia when Mount Merapi erupted.
The MAF also set up a special team to help the victims of the serious floods
that hit Kedah and Perlis in late October and early November.
Ahmad Zahid said the formation of the special team with the Royal Malaysian
Police to assist the flood victims was a social responsibility.
About 200 members of the Royal Malay Regiment and Engineer Corps also helped
to repair the damaged public amenities in the two affected states.
The Defence Ministry also created history when it signed agreements and
contracts worth about RM25 billion (US$1=RM3.13) at the Defence Services Asia
Exhibition and Conference 2010 (DSA 2010) in April, the biggest amount recorded
at the event since it was introduced in 1988.
Of the total amount, RM15 billion was for contracts signed between the
Defence Ministry and renowned Russian company, Irkut Aviation Corporation, which
produces among the most modern jet fighters.
The agreement with Irkut covers three aspects, namely the supply of military
equipment spare parts, weaponry system and production of aerospace equipment
components for the local and international markets.
Besides that, 20 agreements on contracts worth RM10.36 billion were signed
between the Defence Ministry and related agencies and 11 firms, including five
foreign firms, during the four-day DSA 2010 from April 22.
The ministry will also build a Joint Services complex as a strategic
headquarters for competency training of MAF officers and members.
The plan is to build the complex at the RMAF base in Subang, Selangor next
year to prepare the officers and members for strengthening of the MAF.
-- BERNAMA
peacekeeping and humanitarian missions mounted by the Malaysian Armed Forces
(MAF) was the recognition given by the world's sole super power, the United
States, on their soundness.
The US, regarded as the "world police", admitted that the approach used by
the MAF in handling conflicts and global issues while carrying out their
international duties without using violence, was commendable, and that Malaysia
was a friend in this region for the major powers.
Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, had said that Malaysia's moderate
stance in tackling global issues had been translated by the MAF through free
trade, adherence to international law, and transparency in using the
international maritime lanes, airspace and cyberspace.
Gates said this when he made a courtesy call on Defence Minister Dr Ahmad
Zahid Hamidi on Nov 9, this year.
Ahmad Zahid said the combination of the three services -- Army, Royal
Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) -- of the MAF in the
Malaysian contingents for the peacekeeping missions was the best model for such
efforts.
The good cooperation and coordination between the three services of the MAF
has been beneficial as it has brought recognition and commendation too from
various quarters, including several foreign countries and the United Nations
(UN).
Among the peacekeeping missions mounted by Malaysia was to Lebanon through
Malcon and Malbat which were involved in operations to maintain security and
stability in the turbulent country throughout 2010.
There was increased trust of the UN in Malaysia's peacekeeping ability when
the area it was entrusted to monitor and guard was expanded from eight square
kilometres to 14 sq km.
Besides Malcon and Malbat, Malaysia also sent its contingents known as
Malcon ISAF (International Security Asssistance Force) to Afghanistan in July
and September to assist in the reconstruction and redevelopment of the
strife-torn country.
The Afghanistan government views Malaysia as an OIC (Organisation of the
Islamic Conference) country that actively involves itself in humanitarian
missions.
Hence, Afghanistan asked for Malaysia's assistance in redeveloping the
country which has suffered from destruction and backwardness as a result of the
long-drawn war.
Apart from humanitarian missions abroad, domestically the MAF had also been
actively helping fellow Malaysians throughout 2010.
For instance, it provided three C-130 aircraft of the RMAF on Nov 7 to bring
back 401 Malaysians stranded in Yogyakarta, Indonesia when Mount Merapi erupted.
The MAF also set up a special team to help the victims of the serious floods
that hit Kedah and Perlis in late October and early November.
Ahmad Zahid said the formation of the special team with the Royal Malaysian
Police to assist the flood victims was a social responsibility.
About 200 members of the Royal Malay Regiment and Engineer Corps also helped
to repair the damaged public amenities in the two affected states.
The Defence Ministry also created history when it signed agreements and
contracts worth about RM25 billion (US$1=RM3.13) at the Defence Services Asia
Exhibition and Conference 2010 (DSA 2010) in April, the biggest amount recorded
at the event since it was introduced in 1988.
Of the total amount, RM15 billion was for contracts signed between the
Defence Ministry and renowned Russian company, Irkut Aviation Corporation, which
produces among the most modern jet fighters.
The agreement with Irkut covers three aspects, namely the supply of military
equipment spare parts, weaponry system and production of aerospace equipment
components for the local and international markets.
Besides that, 20 agreements on contracts worth RM10.36 billion were signed
between the Defence Ministry and related agencies and 11 firms, including five
foreign firms, during the four-day DSA 2010 from April 22.
The ministry will also build a Joint Services complex as a strategic
headquarters for competency training of MAF officers and members.
The plan is to build the complex at the RMAF base in Subang, Selangor next
year to prepare the officers and members for strengthening of the MAF.
-- BERNAMA
