DEFENCE STUDIES INSTITUTE POISED TO MAKE ITS MARK - MINISTER

ALOR GAJAH (Malaysia), Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Institute for
Defence and Security Studies is poised to make a strategic contribution to the
country's and regional security, said Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the institute, which came under the ambit of the Defence Ministry,
would pool the strength of PhD and masters degree holders in the ministry and
its agencies.

"At present we have 29 Ph.D and 3,800 masters degree holders working with
the ministry and its agencies.

"We will tap their knowledge and experience to produce research on defence
and security for the institute," he told reporters in this southern town
Wednesday night.

Ahmad Zahid said he aspired to turn the institute into a leading
non-political regional defence and security think-tank.

He said it would produce a defence and security journal and organise a
yearly international seminar on Sept 16 to mark not only the Armed Forces Day
but also the Malaysia Day.

"We will invite world renowned researchers, armed forces chiefs from
neighbouring countries and retired armed forces top brass besides Malaysian
armed Forces chief to present papers at the seminar," he said.

Thirty-one participants from the armed forces, police, Malaysian Maritime
Enforcement Agency and National Service Training Department take part in the
three-day seminar starting Wednesday.
-- BERNAMA