MAF, TNI Strengthen Defence Cooperation Through LATGABMA MALINDO DARSASA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have strengthened defence diplomatic ties through the 12AB/2026 Malaysia-Indonesia Joint Combined Exercise Land, Sea and Air (LATGABMA MALINDO DARSASA 12AB/2026).

The Joint Forces Headquarters (MKAB) at Al-Sultan Abdullah Camp said in a statement today that the 13-day exercise is being held in Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia, involving 719 participants from various agencies of both countries.

Commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade and MAF Exercise Planning Group Chief Brig Gen Datuk Zamri Othman said the exercise was not merely a routine activity, but a clear manifestation of the fraternal bond and strategic trust between Malaysia and Indonesia.

“Besides testing joint operational concepts involving the land, maritime and air domains, it provides a platform to enhance understanding of operational procedures and build confidence among personnel of both armed forces,” he said in the same statement.

Zamri said today’s security environment is becoming increasingly complex with non-traditional threats such as maritime crime, smuggling, terrorism, cyber threats and natural disasters, making it imperative for both countries to further strengthen defence cooperation.

LATGABMA MALINDO DARSASA has been conducted since 1984 through the General Border Committee (GBC) and the Malaysia-Indonesia Joint Training Committee (JKLB MALINDO) every three years on a rotational basis, with the last edition held in Pekan, Pahang in 2023 based on an anti-terrorism concept.

The selection of Bandar Lampung as the main location is in line with the exercise concept, which emphasises Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR), Search and Rescue (SAR) and Cyber Exercise (CyberEx) components.

“Lampung Province is located at the convergence of three active tectonic plate belts, making it a relevant area for natural disaster-based training scenarios,” the statement said.

The exercise scenario was developed based on real experiences of earthquake and tsunami disasters that have struck Indonesia, particularly southern Sumatra, to ensure a more realistic training environment.

The exercise is divided into academic sessions through a Staff Exercise (STAFFEX), focusing on 10 key scenarios, namely Initial Disaster Response, Mass Casualty Incident, Infrastructure Collapse, Medical Emergency, International Assistance, Cyber Attack, Information Warfare, Mass Evacuation, Stabilisation Phase and Transition Phase.

The approach helps participants gain a deeper understanding of the scenarios and effectively apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the Field Training Exercise (FTX) phase.

The FTX focuses on Force Integration Training (FIT) involving MAF personnel, TNI personnel and Indonesian agency teams such as the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), Disaster Preparedness Cadets (TAGANA), the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

“During FIT, a series of joint training activities are conducted, including rope tying and knotting, rappelling, emergency response actions and the establishment of a field hospital, all coordinated within the HADR and SAR segments,” the statement said.

The exercise programme also focuses on the Engineering Civil Action Programme (ENCAP), Medical Civic Action Programme (MEDCAP) and CyberEx.

ENCAP involves repair works on two uninhabitable houses (RTLH) in Kampung Sukamaju and the construction of a concrete road in Kampung Keteguhan, while MEDCAP, conducted at the Community Health Centre (PUSKESMAS), includes general health screenings, free spectacles and a blood donation programme.

For the CyberEx segment, training covers technical aspects such as reconnaissance, enumeration, credential attacks, man-in-the-middle (MITM), spoofing and feed manipulation.

Overall, the exercise involves 463 TNI personnel, 150 MAF personnel, two representatives from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), 25 members of the Indonesian National Police (POLRI) and 79 participants from various Indonesian agencies.

-- BERNAMA