SE Asia Trilateral Cooperation Evolved to Counter Marawi Crisis
15 June 2017 20:52 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu plans to hold a meeting with the Malaysian and Philippine defense minister to discuss the continuity of the trilateral maritime cooperation. The trilateral meeting will be held in Tarakan, North Kalimantan on June 19.
The meeting will mainly discuss the anticipative measures against the spread of ISIS extremist group throughout Southeast Asia. Minister Ryamizard also invited defense ministers of Singapore and Brunei Darussalam to be present at the trilateral forum.
“It’s to prepare the forum’s participants,” said Ryamizard.
According to the spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Arrmanatha Nasir, a follow-up meeting between Indonesian, Malaysian, and Philippine maritime security patrols will possibly take place.
The cooperation was established by the three countries in May 2016. Back then, the government was focusing its efforts to countermeasure Abu Sayyaf pirate.
Arrmanatha did not deny the possibility of evolving the cooperation to face the after effects of the Marawi crisis currently taking place in the Philippines.
YOHANES PASKALIS