Malaysia, RI to boost intelligence cooperation

Antara, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia has called for more exchange in intelligence information with Indonesia, including on terrorist networks in the two countries, Malaysian Police Inspector-General Norian Mai said on Tuesday.

He said he voiced the proposal at his meeting with Indonesian National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar at the federal police headquarters here.

"The exchange of information is vital to put ourselves in a better position to curb activities that pose a threat to the nation," he told reporters after the meeting.

Norian said he would hold a special discussion with Da'i in efforts to fight activities that threaten national security.

The problem should be resolved collectively by all countries concerned in the region, he said.

Norian said that at the meeting, the two police chiefs also agreed to enhance cooperation in curbing the entry of illegal immigrants by organizing joint patrols at the entry points on their common border.

They also reached understanding on efforts to prevent the smuggling of firearms into Malaysia from Indonesia, he said.

"Besides that, cooperation has also been stepped up in joint operations such as narcotics and marine operations," said Norian.

Da'i, meanwhile, suggested that Indonesian and Malaysian police continue to improve cooperation in all fields and at all levels to ensure peace and security in the two neighboring countries.

Da'i, who was leading a 10-member delegation, arrived here on Tuesday for a two-day visit in conjunction with the Defense Services Asia Exhibition.

It was the first top level meeting between police forces of the two countries. Earlier this year Indonesian police sent its top brass to cross check reports of alleged involvement of Indonesian nationals in radical Muslim organizations which attempted to foment an Islamic state in Malaysia.

Norian earlier had a meeting with the police chief of Laos, Colonel Khampha Sengdara Dir.