MALAYSIAN SOLDIERS ALWAYS READY FOR AID MISSIONS ABROAD

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said
Thursday the Malaysian armed forces were always ready to be deployed for high
availability disaster recovery (HADR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in any
country.

"We have the expertise and commitment to participate in international
humanitarian aid missions," he told reporters after presenting degrees to 40
students of the Masters Programme of Social Science in Defence Studies of the
Armed Forces Defence College, here.

The Malaysian armed forces have long been known internationally as one of the
best security forces in extending humanitarian aid through the HADR and WFP in
countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also said that the officers and men of the three services of the
armed forces should adapt themselves to global needs, not only in terms of
physical strength but also mental and communications prowess.

At the ceremony, Lt Col Xu Hong Cai was the first soldier from China to graduate
from the college since it was set up in 1981.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said this was the result of bilateral cooperation, whereby
Malaysia had sent three officers from each of the three services of the armed
forces to the republic to further their studies there.

Xu said he was honoured to be the first soldier from China to receive the
Masters degree from the college.

"The studies were challenging and I'm looking forward to going back to my
hometown to practice what I have learned, " he said.
-- BERNAMA