| Submit your comments on this article |
| Southeast Asia |
| Filippino cooperation with Malaysia keeps Abu Sayyaf out of Sabah |
| 2005-12-19 |
| A sound intelligence operation and strong cooperation between the Malaysian and the Philippine armed forces so far have succeeded in preventing Abu Sayyaf terrorists based in Southern Philippines from getting past the country's border, said Army Chief Gen Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Zainal. "So far we have been able to check the group's movement as our intelligence team have been effective in carrying out their task. With solid intelligence, their actions can always be checked (and) so far we can prevent them from entering (the country)," he told reporters, here Monday. Cooperation with the Philippine armed forces also enabled the Malaysian armed forces to obtain the latest information on the movement of the group noted for their kidnapping activities for ransom money, he added. The deployment of army personnel and the General Operations Force on several islands in the East Coast of Sabah besides frequent patrols conducted by the marine and air force teams also helped in detecting illegal activities in Malaysia including robbery and kidnapping. Therefore, the situation in Sabah right now was safe and under control and the confidence can be seen through the increase in the number of tourists to the state, said Abdul Aziz. Abdul Aziz is here to chair the Army's General Supreme Conference beginning today until Wednesday. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |