Crisis kills joint military exercises

Crisis kills joint military exercises

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The economic crisis that has crippled many Southeast Asian nations has forced the cancellation of joint military exercises between Malaysia and Thailand, a daily said yesterday.

The decision to cancel the annual "Thamal" exercise was made Wednesday at a meeting between Malaysian and Thai military officials in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian delegation head Lt. Gen. Abdul Aziz Hassan was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.

The exercises were held last year before the full impact of the economic crisis hit the region. The navies of the two nations also held joint exercises last year, the daily said.

Like most countries in the region, Malaysia has been forced to cancel planned weapons and helicopter purchases and overseas training programs for defense personnel.