Indonesia and Malaysia Enhance Cooperation in Border Security
West Kalimantan, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in securing the boundary markers of their land borders in the eastern sector of West Kalimantan, according to an Indonesian military officer.
Colonel Mohamad Isnaeni, Chief of Staff of the 121/Abw Military Command Post, announced that the two nations recently signed an agreement to conduct joint border patrols aimed at securing the Indonesia-Malaysia boundary marks. The agreement was signed by Colonel Isnaeni and Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Halim bin Hj Mohd Rosli, Chief of Staff of Malaysia’s 3rd Infantry Brigade, representing the Royal Malaysian Army (TDM).
Speaking in Sintang District, West Kalimantan, on Thursday, Colonel Isnaeni highlighted that the joint border patrols will involve several personnel from the 5/Abw Combat Engineer Battalion (Yonzipur) Border Security Task Force and 10 personnel from TDM’s Royal Ranger Regiment (RRD).
In addition to border patrols, both armies have pledged to engage in community services and other activities involving local residents in the border areas. These initiatives aim not only to secure the boundary lines but also to strengthen the friendship between Indonesia and Malaysia.
Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Halim bin Hj Mohd Rosli welcomed the agreement, expressing hope that the TNI-AD (Indonesian Army) and TDM would continue to maintain their good relations.
This agreement is part of the ongoing efforts by the Indonesian and Malaysian armed forces to intensify their relations. In May, both countries conducted a joint air patrol to secure the Malacca Strait, a crucial waterway for global trade. For this joint air patrol, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) dispatched two F-16s, while the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) deployed F-18 Hornets.
According to a press statement by the TNI-AU, the Indonesian fighter jets of Squadron 16 took off from the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base in Riau Province. First Lieutenant Galih Rakasiwi and First Lieutenant Ghazi Umar Marzuq piloted the F-16s, meeting their Malaysian counterparts while flying over the Strait of Malacca.
Air Commodore Feri Yunaldi, Chief of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base, emphasized that the joint air patrol aims to maintain peace and security in the Malacca Strait. He stated that this cooperation would strengthen the bilateral and military ties between Indonesia and Malaysia, securing their respective air sovereignty.
The joint air patrol and the new agreement on land border security demonstrate the two countries’ commitment to regional peace and security, benefiting the region’s economic growth and stability.
