ASEAN COUNTRIES SHOULD USE OWN DEFENCE PRODUCTS

RAWANG (Malaysia), Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will share ideas and
cooperate with Asean countries to make the region a world major exporter and
manufacturer of defence products, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the existing ties and cooperation between Asean countries and
manufacturers in the West would speed up transfer of technology.

"Asean products should be used by other Asean countries. For example,
bullets manufactured by Malaysia and Thailand can be used by Laos, Myanmar,
Brunei and Singapore.

"We don't want to remain a dumping ground for products from Western
countries whether in technology transfer, assets or training," he said after
visiting the SME Ordnance Sdn Bhd (SMEO) factory at Batu Arang near here
Tuesday.

Batu Arang was a coal main mining town in Selangor, Malaysia.

Zahid said this would reduce the ministry's spending on defence equipments
and that the extra money could be used by others like the Home Ministry to
maintain security.

"Asean countries can form a body to buy arms as it will reduce cost while
the equipments can be used by other ministries to support the local industry."

He commended SMEO for producing 14,000 Colt M4 Carbine assault rifles for
the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

SMEO was licensed by M4 Carbine manufacturer Colt Defence LLC of United
States to manufacture 5.56mm calibre rifles for use in the country.


-- BERNAMA