PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Malaysian Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman's visit to Cambodia this week is expected to further strengthen military ties between the two countries.
The visiting general held high-level talks with his Cambodian counterpart and government leaders.
During the meetings, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing defence cooperation to maintain peace and stability in Southeast Asia.
In a Facebook post today, Malek Razak said Malaysia and Cambodia were committed to elevating their longstanding defence partnership through closer strategic cooperation and sustained high-level engagement.
"As ASEAN member states with a common vision for a peaceful, secure and prosperous region, we reaffirmed the importance of strengthening mutual understanding, enhancing institutional collaboration and fostering greater cooperation between our armed forces,” he said.
Earlier on July 9, he held bilateral talks with the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, General Vong Pisen.
As part of his visit, Malek Razak also travelled to the Cambodia-Thailand border in Banteay Meanchey province to assess the security situation.
He later met Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister Tea Seiha on Friday.
Cambodia’s state media, Agence Kampuchea Presse, reported that on Saturday morning, Malek Razak paid a courtesy call on former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also the current President of Cambodia’s Senate.
During a series of bilateral meetings, Malaysia and Cambodia discussed broadening defence collaboration by implementing existing bilateral frameworks, expanding military exchanges, professional military education, training opportunities and capacity-building initiatives.
"We also emphasised the value of maintaining close cooperation within ASEAN-led defence platforms to address emerging security challenges and reinforce regional stability,” said Malek Razak in his post.
The defence chief is leading a Malaysian delegation to Cambodia at the invitation of Vong Pisen from July 8 to 11. -- Bernama
