| Azlan Othman |
THE Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, General (Rtd) Ryamizard Riyacudu, urged for more concrete action rather than just words to combat terrorism and security threats in the region.
Speaking to the local media yesterday at the end of his visit as the special guest at His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s 70th birth anniversary celebration, General Ryamizard said over the years at the Shangri La dialogue held in Singapore, the rhetorical statement of ‘upholding peace’ in the region is merely repeated.
“We need to break the deadlock and do something concrete like carrying out patrols at the Sulu Sea,” he said referring to the recent joint patrol cooperation meeting between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in the Sulu Sea to combat maritime security and terrorism in the area involving the Abu Sayyaf group.
“In this region, we are very close to forging unity and will be able to solve problems like in the Sulu Sea fast. The pressing situation in the Sulu Sea has led to the fruitful meeting in the Philippines,” he said.
“The meeting was held during a leisure period on Sunday but it has produced a fruitful outcome due to the close and friendly ties. Interestingly, the meeting in the Philippines took only two hours to produce such a fruitful outcome. It could be the world’s fastest meeting,” he said, suggesting that the friendship among Asean member countries must be forged closer.
“Before something bad happens, we must take joint action,” he added.
Minister of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia, General (Rtd) Ryamizard Riyacudu speaking with the press. – AZLAN OTHMAN
When asked on matters discussed during his audience with His Majesty on Friday, General Ryamizard said, “I expressed my birthday wishes to His Majesty, and to always be in good health and longevity and also wished the monarch Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. I also relayed similar festive wishes from President Jokowi to His Majesty.”
“The close ties especially in defence between the two countries must be maintained. As Muslim countries, we must have warm ties. The friendly ties between both countries should also be enhanced,” he added.
Indonesia offered its defence products to Brunei and lauded the skills of Bruneian army personnel when they triumphed at the international shooting competition.
When asked on his discussion with the Deputy Minister of Defence of Brunei Darussalam, First Admiral (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, General Ryamizard said they both touched on the importance of defence communication and issues relating to threats of terrorism. On the situation in the South China Sea, General Ryamizard said the problem is our common issue.
“Let us jointly upholds peace in this area and avoid armed conflict as US$8 trillion dollars of maritime business is carried out through this water where 30 per cent of the world’s container traffic takes place,” he said.
Touching on Asean, he said, “the regional grouping is already in its 48th year of establishment and with the diverse religious background, the ties must be upheld although some have critical views on the association which cause restlessness. If Asean with a population of 500 million people can unite, nothing will disturb it.”
When asked on his diplomacy style, General Ryamizard said, “We are friends. Solving problems through a sincere heart is my style.”
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