PUSPAHANAS WILL BE A WORLD CLASS DEFENCE STUDIES CENTRE - PM

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The Puspahanas centre costing RM100 million
(US$1=RM3.60) will be a world class facility to train Malaysian Defence Forces
(ATM) officers besides being the reference centre for military matters and
national defence, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Abdullah, who is also Defence Minister, said it would also serve as
catalyst for defence relations and cooperation among countries in the region and
internationally in line with the government's commitment to efforts at
preserving regional and international peace.

"The Puspahanas project is one of the projects that will contribute to the
attaining of the National Mission which is a continuation of the government's
plan to achieve long term peace and progress for the nation.

"We are now in the era of globalisation in all fields. In line with this,
our military officers must also be equipped with the knowledge and skills to be
able to face the challenges of the future.

"Realising this need, Puspahanas was conceived with the aim of providing
ultra-modern and quality training facilities for ATM officers in military
matters and national defence," he said at the ground-breaking ceremony of the
project in Precinct 1 here Friday.


The project, undertaken by Awan Megah Sdn Bhd, when fully completed in
2011, will also house the National Defence College (MPN) and the ATM's Command
and Staff Training College (MPTAT).

Abdullah added that asides ATM officers, Pusphanas would also help in the
training of Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) officers, civil servants and also
military officers from abroad.

He said MPTAT would be able to train 180 officers at the level of
lieutenant colonel and below at any one time while MPN would be able to
accommodate 50 officers at the colonel and brigadier general levels.

-- BERNAMA