KL, Manila to ink defense pact

KL, Manila to ink defense pact

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Kuala Lumpur and Manila are to sign a
bilateral defense pact in September to boost military cooperation
and also address piracy in common waters, Malaysia's Defense
Minister Najib Tun Razak said yesterday.

Najib, who is to visit the Philippines next month to sign the
defense memorandum of understanding, said that the agreement
would cover joint army and navy exercises.

Both sides planned to organize coordinated marine patrols as
well in their respective waters and exchange information on
piracy problems for effective preventive measures, Najib said
when opening a national maritime security conference.

Ties between the two countries have been strained for three
decades because of the Philippines' claim to the east Malaysian
state of Sabah, once ruled by a Filipino sultan who leased the
territory to European traders in the 19th century.