Armed Forces on alert over Osama death

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KUALA LUMPUR: The death of the leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist group Osama bin Laden may not lead to unrest in the region, said the Commander of the Joint Forces, Vice-Admiral Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badarudin.

However, he said the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) were ready to face any challenge should any undesired development crop up.

“We have taken preparatory measures in terms of security,” he told Bernama yesterday.

Earlier, Ahmad Kamarulzaman attended a function organised by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and the disbanding of the Malaysian Contingent to the International Security Assistance Force 1 (Malcon ISAF 1) at the ATM Hospital yesterday.

At the function, he presented awards to nine officers and 31 other ranks led by Lt Col Norazan Omar, who had brought glory to the country internationally.

Ahmad Kamarulzaman praised members of the team who had served for six months in Afghanistan from July 15, 2010 to April 29, 2011.

He said they had to carry out the mission for 30 days continuously in Afghanistan and the task carried out focused on health services, dental and humanitarian aid.

The Malcon ISAF 1 mission was to fulfil the request of the Afghan government to assist the country in reviving peace and rebuilding capacity particularly in the Bamian area.

“Malaysia is one of the countries categorised as a non-Nato member serving in Afghanistan and the mission of the ATM contingent was more oriented towards providing social health services and training programme, mentoring and supervision of the public health personnel,” said Ahmad Kamarulzaman.

On April 26, 40 members of the Malcon ISAF 2 left for Afghanistan to serve for between six and nine months together with the Provincial Reconstruction Team from New Zealand.

Sgt Haslinda Masirom, one of seven women who had served in the Malcon ISAF 1 team, said besides medical assistance, they also provided various training to the local community on giving first aid.

She said they had given aid and health services to more than 50 patients daily. — Bernama