Malaysia, Sudan sign defence cooperation agreement

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17, 2004 (Bernama) — Malaysia and Sudan Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will pave the way for Kuala Lumpur and Khartoum to forge defence cooperation.

Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Subhan Jasmon represented Malaysia while Deputy Chief of Staff for Training at the Defence Ministry Lt-Jen Mohammed Bashir Suliman signed on behalf of Sudan.

Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal, who witnessed the signing, said Malaysia’s expertise in military and defence industries could be emulated by other countries by having joint training and exercises.

He said Malaysia would offer more places for Sudanese to participate in the Malaysia Defence Cooperation Programme which was started in 2002.

“In that year, 21 places were offered to undergo military training in Malaysia and 20 foreigners took part.

“Last year, 12 places were offered and five participants enrolled,” he said.

Besides military links, Shafie said Malaysia and Sudan could cooperate in the transfer of Science and Technology, defence industries and exchange views.

He said a secretariat would be set up to monitor the progress of the cooperation.

Asked whether the MoU would lead Kuala Lumpur and Khartoum to cooperate in the weaponry sector, Shafie said Malaysia had not identified the sector to venture into.

Nonetheless, the potential sector was supply of trucks to transport weaponry, he said.

Subhan, in his speech, said Malaysia had agreed to provide land, sea and air military training to Sudanese.

He said the Defence Ministry would discuss with the Army, Royal Malaysia Air Force and Royal Malaysia Navy on the courses and training to be offered.

Mohammed Bashir said Sudan was ready to expand military ties between the two countries.

“Malaysia and Sudan have many common interests ranging from economic to diplomatic ties. Sudan will send more delegations to Malaysia in pursuant to the MoU,” he said.