INDONESIAN, MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES CONDUCT JOINT BORDER PATROL

KAPUAS HULU (West Kalimantan), July 15 (Bernama-ANTARA) -- The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) are conducting a coordinated joint patrol to inspect border markers along the West Kalimantan-Sarawak border, reported ANTARA.

Colonel Mohamad Isnaeni, the chief of staff of TNI's 121/Alambhana Wanawai Military Resort Command, noted in a statement cited in Kapuas Hulu District, West Kalimantan, on Monday that the joint patrol could help the TNI and ATM prevent people from committing various unlawful acts.

He cited drug trafficking and illegal logging, mining, and transboundary crossing as examples.

Isnaeni is confident that the joint patrol, which will last until July 21, will serve as a mission to assist the military institutions of both nations to create a conducive situation along their land borders.

The military officer then expressed hope that the collaborative mission would lead to improved professionalism among soldiers and result in bolstering friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

"Interactions among soldiers taking part in the coordinated patrol is expected to effectively solidify the sense of togetherness and mutual understanding between the armed force personnel of the two countries, leading to lasting harmonious bilateral relations," he affirmed.

In pursuit of this goal, Isnaeni called on TNI soldiers stationed in the border region to continue to maintain the relations well-fostered with their Malaysian counterparts serving in the region.

"Carry out your duties with dignity. I believe that if you can translate my message into reality, the end goal of the coordinated patrol is within reach," he told the soldiers.

-- BERNAMA-ANTARA