Nov 6, 2015
By
Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Defence minister Datuk Seri
Hishammuddin Hussein and his United States counterpart Ashton Carter cruised
aboard a supercarrier in waters off Sabah yesterday.
The Associated Press reported that
Hishammuddin and Carter watched US navy jet fighters roar off USS Theodore
Roosevelt as it sailed under a midday sun about 100km northwest of Sabah.
It was reported that they flew aboard the
carrier in a V-22 Osprey from a base in Sabah.
The Pentagon is interested in making arrangements
with Malaysia for more regular access to bases for US aircraft carriers.
Hishammuddin said he discussed with Carter a
range of matters related to bilateral defence relations between Malaysia and
the US.
“We toured the USS Theodore Roosevelt
aircraft carrier, based in international waters off the coast of Sabah, and
visited the Royal Malaysian Navy Base in Teluk Sepanggar.
“During the visit, we discussed the progress
of defence cooperation between Malaysia and the US.”
He said there would be a bilateral exercise
conducted here at the end of this month.
The exercise, Malaysia- United States
Amphibious Exercise (MALUS Amphex), is part of the defence cooperation between
both countries.
Other bilateral exercises that had been
conducted this year include STRIKE, CARAT, GPOI CAPSTONE, DCAT and COPE TAUFAN.
Hishammuddin said:”In light of the positive development
on the military-to-military exchanges that underscore the strong defence ties
between our nations, we would also like to reaffirm our commitment to promote
and support further exchanges our defence establishments.”
Carter had attended the Asean Defence
Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
The location of the aircraft carrier is
drawing wide attention because of the dispute over the South China Sea, which
sees China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines having
overlapping claims in the sea.
Earlier yesterday, Chinese Defence Minister
General Chang Wanquan called on Hishammuddin at his office in Kuala Lumpur.
Hishammuddin said they discussed issues of
strategic importance to both countries, as well as current and emerging trends
in the global security landscape.
“Overall, the bilateral meeting reaffirms the
strong ties between the two nations in the area of defence.”
Hishammuddin had extended invitations to
Chang and Carter to attend the biennial Defence Services Asia Exhibition and
Conference, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur from April 18 to 21.
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