No external security threats in Straits of Malacca, says ATM chief

The Straits of Malacca is safe and there have been no external security threats, said Chief of Armed Forces (ATM) Gen Zulkifli Zainal Abidin (photo, above).

While countries can step up control and security as a precautionary measure, he reiterated that there was no indication that the nation’s waters were unsafe, he told reporters after receiving Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador at the ATM headquarters at Wisma Pertahanan, Kuala Lumpur today. 

Zulkifli was commenting on reports that China’s Transport Ministry had urged their shipping companies to enhance security when their vessels were in the Straits of Malacca. 

Also present were Army chief Gen Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi, Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Mohd Reza Mohd Sany and The Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Affendi Buang. 

Abdul Hamid was accompanied by Bukit Aman's Narcotics Investigation Department director Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd and Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Mohd Zakaria Ahmad. 

Among the issues discussed were ATM's readiness in considering the police’s proposal for police personnel to get health services at military hospitals, while the navy talks were on improving security at the country's borders, including the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

- Bernama