Malaysia Not Involved in Saudi-led Military Coalition

Kuala Lumpur, Jumadil Awal 1437/February 16, 2016 (MINA) – The Defence Ministry will be seeking clarification from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) whether Malaysian military personnel are involved in a Saudi Arabian military mission, said its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said Malaysia supported efforts to eradicate terrorism in terms of doctrine and ideology, but not from a military standpoint, The Malaysian Insider Tuesday reported.

“I have stated from the beginning that we are not involved militarily,” he said when commenting on a report by Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA that Malaysia was participating in a massive military mission, deemed “critically important”, together with about 20 other countries.
“Military training does not mean we are directly involved in operations. Besides, I will not allow it, as to what was reported today (by SPA), I have not seen the extent of involvement in the training,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after presenting the Defence Minister’s trophy to the winners of the Inter-Varsity Debate Competition at the National Defence University (UPNM), Sungai Besi, last night.

Prior to this, the minister had stated that Malaysian troops have been sent to Saudi Arabia for training purposes. (T/P4/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)