FPDA shifts its focus to terrorism<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Penang, Malaysia<\/p>\n
A five-nation grouping dedicated to the defense of Malaysia and
\nSingapore is to shift its focus from conventional threats to
\nterrorism, Malaysia's Defense Minister Najib Razak said on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
He was speaking after a one-day meeting in this northern
\nMalaysian city with his counterparts from Australia, Britain, New
\nZealand and Singapore, which comprise the 32-year-old Five Power
\nDefence Arrangement (FPDA).<\/p>\n
\"The ministers agreed we should look at non-conventional forms
\nof threats, in particular global terrorism, piracy and illegal
\nimmigrants,\" Najib told a news conference.<\/p>\n
\"The ministers agreed that external threats in the
\nconventional form have diminished.\"<\/p>\n
He said a shift in emphasis to terrorism did not mean the FPDA
\n\"will be involved in operational terms but we are looking at
\njoint training, intelligence sharing and capacity building.\"<\/p>\n
\"We are steadfast against any form of terrorism and we will
\ncontinue to work together to combat the menace of terrorism. The
\nFPDA is flexible and it can meet any new challenges.\"<\/p>\n
Asked about plans to establish an antiterrorism center in
\nMalaysia with U.S. backing, Najib said: \"The center is designed
\nto enhance capacity building. We'll obtain counter-terrorism
\nexperts from around the world, including from members of FPDA.\"<\/p>\n
Singapore's Defense Minister Tony Tan told the news
\nconference: \"Cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore in the
\narea of counter-terrorism is excellent.<\/p>\n
\"With regards to the anti-terrorism center, Singapore will be
\none of the countries which will work with Malaysia and other
\ncountries to enhance our capabilities.\"<\/p>\n
Malaysia and Singapore have both detained dozens of alleged
\nmembers of the al-Qaeda-linked Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) Islamic
\nmilitant group, blamed for the Bali bombings in Indonesia last
\nOctober that killed more than 200 people.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fpda-shifts-its-focus-to-terrorism-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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