Zahid: Military exercises with Indonesia must continue

Zahid Hamidi-file pic

MASJID TANAH: Joint military exercises between Indonesia and Malaysia must continue to be held, although a senior Indonesian military commander had reportedly called for a review of the war games, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the exercises had been going on for years and should not be discontinued due to an isolated maritime incident which resulted in protests by a small group in Indonesia.

“I hope the military commanders of both countries will not adopt an emotional approach to the joint exercises,” he told reporters after a Hari Raya open house at his in-laws’ house in Kampung Empang Batu here.

Dr Ahmad Zahid was asked to comment on an Indonesian media report quoting a senior military commander calling for a review of the joint exercises.

There were anti-Malaysia protests in Jakarta recently after seven Malaysian fishermen were arrested by Indonesian maritime authorities for allegedly trespassing in Indonesian waters near Bintan island on Aug 13.

Subsequently, three Indonesian maritime officers were detained by Malaysian marine police.

All the fishermen and officers have since been released. – Bernama