M'sia says no need to join US war games in Thailand
The government today said it saw no need to join the annual Cobra Gold military exercises with United States forces in Thailand, saying there were other ways of cooperating in the war on terrorism.
Defence Minister Najib Razak confirmed that Malaysia, which has observed the war games for the past five years, would remain an observer of this year's exercise in May despite an invitation from Thailand to become a participant.
The Philippines is due to take part for the first time, joining Thailand, the United States and Singapore, which became a full participant in 2000.
"There are some political and strategic implications, so that's why for the moment Malaysia is only participating as an observer," Najib told reporters.
"Our policy has always been that we don't subscribe to multilateral exercises."
A Thai military source has said terrorist-attack training could be incorporated in the drill this year, including activities such as the evacuation of civilians.
Defence Minister Najib Razak confirms that Malaysia will not join the annual Cobra Gold military exercises with United States forces in Thailand, saying there were other ways of cooperating in the war on terrorism.
The government today said it saw no need to join the annual Cobra Gold military exercises with United States forces in Thailand, saying there were other ways of cooperating in the war on terrorism.
Defence Minister Najib Razak confirmed that Malaysia, which has observed the war games for the past five years, would remain an observer of this year's exercise in May despite an invitation from Thailand to become a participant.
The Philippines is due to take part for the first time, joining Thailand, the United States and Singapore, which became a full participant in 2000.
"There are some political and strategic implications, so that's why for the moment Malaysia is only participating as an observer," Najib told reporters.
"Our policy has always been that we don't subscribe to multilateral exercises."
A Thai military source has said terrorist-attack training could be incorporated in the drill this year, including activities such as the evacuation of civilians.
Quality intelligence reports
But Najib said there were "many other ways in which we can cooperate in the war against terrorism".
"For example, we can exchange quality and timely intelligence reports, we can also do coordinated patrols, we can exchange personnel ... so it is not necessary for us to participate in war games as such."
The only exception was the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA), grouping Malaysia with Australia, Britain, New Zealand and Singapore, due to "historical reasons", he said.
The FPDA was formed after British troops pulled out of the region three decades ago but has since evolved into a broader security arrangement.
Najib added that Malaysia had the "capability and the means to thwart and eliminate any form of terrorism".
Cobra Gold is the United States' largest troop exercise in the Asia-Pacific region.
Last year, the United States sent 12,723 troops, eight war ships and 73 war planes to join 7,125 Thai military personnel in the annual exercise.
A Thai military source last month said Cobra Gold, which will take place in the eastern and central regions of Thailand, could be cancelled if a US-led attack on Iraq goes ahead. — AFP
