MAF chief calls for vigilance against Daesh penetration

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BANGKOK, 29 Julai (Bernama) -- Panglima Angkatan Tentera Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin bertukar kertas mesyuarat dengan rakan sejawatannya dari Thailand Jen Sommai Kaotira selepas berlangsungnya Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Tinggi ke-33 hari ini. --fotoBERNAMA 2016 HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

BANGKOK, 29 Julai (Bernama) — Panglima Angkatan Tentera Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin bertukar kertas mesyuarat dengan rakan sejawatannya dari Thailand Jen Sommai Kaotira selepas berlangsungnya Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Tinggi ke-33 hari ini.
–fotoBERNAMA 2016 HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

BANGKOK: Malaysian chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin yesterday called on all quarters engaged in security management at the Malaysia-Thailand common border to be vigilant and check possible penetration by Daesh militants.

He said the high-level border management committee had expressed its concern over such a threat.

“We (Malaysia-Thailand High-Level Committee) have emphasised our concern over the IS (Daesh) threat, the intrusion of elements at the common border that can undermine the security of Malaysia and Thailand.

“Everyone involved in managing security at the Malaysia-Thailand common border must step up vigilance and preparedness to prevent (Daesh) elements from penetrating our common border,” he said.

Zulkifeli spoke to Bernama after co-chairing the 33rd meeting of the Malaysia-Thailand High-Level Committee with his Thai counterpart Gen Sommai Kaotira here.

Zulkifeli advised those engaged in border security management to forge close cooperation and exchange intelligence information to thwart the Daesh militant threat.

Efforts to check the Daesh threat at the common border was being carried out vigorously by the border management authorities of the two countries, he said.

On a proposal to construct a wall and fence along the Malaysia-Thailand border, he said this would help check cross-border smuggling, especially of people.

He also said that Malaysia and Thailand were still trying to find points of agreement on the matter and would continue to hold negotiations.

“We are in the process of identifying the location of the wall and fence,” he said, adding that upon agreement, the wall and fence would be built jointly on the common border.

If the two countries reach an agreement, the matter would be raised at the Malaysia-Thailand General Border Committee Meeting expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur in November, he said.

The GBC Meeting will be co-chaired by the defence ministers of the two countries.

Zulkifeli said that as it was proposed for the wall and fence to be built on the common border, the cost of construction and maintenance would be shared and result in huge savings for the countries.

Meanwhile, the high-level committee said in a statement Friday it was satisfied with the development of all activities carried out by it and the Regional Border Committee.

The meeting agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in security matters, immigration and management of the common border, the statement said.

It was through such efforts, the meeting agreed, that not only peace and stability were maintained but development was stepped up in the border areas, it added. — Bernama