RI, Brunei boost defense cooperation

JAKARTA: Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam agreed on Thursday to strengthen defense cooperation, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the governments of the two neighboring countries.

Representing Indonesia was Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil, while Brunei was represented by Minister of Education Haji Awang Abdul Aziz.

The agreement included joint military exercises and personnel exchanges, Aziz said.

"We hope the agreement will enhance our bilateral defense cooperation. We will likely face non-traditional threats in the future. It is therefore necessary for our two countries to set up military cooperation," he said.

Aziz is a member of Brunei's visiting delegation led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on a four-day official visit to the country. -- JP