KUCHING, Aug 15: Malaysia and Indonesia have activated the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Armed Forces at the Joint Posts (GABMA) for ‘Ops Keris Parang’ effective today.
Indonesia has deployed 10 soldiers to the Sarawak-Kalimantan border posts, namely Kem Jawatankuasa Perancang Gerakan (JPG) Biawak in Lundu, Kem JPG Tebedu in Serian and Kem JPG Lubok Antu in Sri Aman.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has deployed 8 Other Ranks (LLP) personnel to Nanga Badau Post, Entikong Post and Sajingan/Aruk Post.
The GABMA activation ceremony in Tebedu Camp was officiated at by Third Brigade commander Brigadier General Mohd Kamil Abdul Latiff.
The forces involved are the 4th Regiment of the Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps and the 645th Infantry Battalion/Gardatama Yudha.
Also present were 645th Infantry Batallion commanding officer Lt Col Hudallah S H, Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps commanding officer Lt Col Mohamad Sazili Hussain and Malaysia Military Liaison Officer Lt Col Haizal Mohamad Ariffi.
According to Kamil, GABMA which is the exchange programme of troops between Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) had been paused since 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“Today, we have received the mandate to re-activate the GABMA where TNI has sent 10 soldier to the three posts in Sarawak while MAF has sent 8 soldiers to theirs.
“The MAF hopes the activation of GABMA will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said in a press conference after the event.
GABMA is part of the operations for 24-hour Post Security guards, vehicular and foot patrols, as well as Ops Serkap (attack and arrest).
On Aug 9, Malaysia and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which involves the sharing of information on defence issues, as well as cooperation between the two armed forces at various levels including exchange of officers, military training and education.
On the same day, Malaysia Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Republic of Indonesia Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto co-chaired the 42nd General Border Committee meeting between Malaysia and Indonesia, where among other matters, was agreement to speed up GABMA assignments involving 14 posts in both countries. — DayakDaily
