KOTA KINABALU, July 18 (Bernama) -- A joint exercise with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) together with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) can further enhance the cooperation between both countries, said MMEA Enforcement and Exercises branch director, Maritime First Admiral Datuk Mohd Taha Ibrahim. He said through the one-day exercise, which would be conducted tomorrow, both parties could achieve good cooperation in the fight against any threat in maritime waters. "We are able to gain a better understanding, including ability of the military and assets when at sea. We also can strengthen the existing communications skills network in facilitating information sharing," he told reporters after the launching of the exercise here Monday. The joint exercises, which will be held in waters off Kota Kinabalu, involved around 100 MMEA officers and personnel, including assets KM Bangi, Bot Penyelamat 10, Kot Kilat 39, and two helicopters the Agusta AW139 and Dauphin AS365, while JCG with 50 officers and personnel with their Tsugaru PLH02 ship and a Sikorsky 412 helicopter. Mohd Taha said the joint exercise would also focus on some aspects such as combating pirates, robbery at sea, together with the search and rescue missions. Meanwhile, Tsugaru PLH02 ship captain, Katsushi Murase said it was the second time they had jointly conducted the exercise with MMEA after its first one in Kuantan, Pahang in September 2013. Katsushi hoped that the exercise could further improve the ties between both sides, in addition to further strengthen their existing cooperation.

Source: BERNAMA