MAF strengthens military, defence diplomacy with ADF through IPE 22 - Visit To Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The official two-way programme between the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) in conjunction with the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 (IPE 22) - Visit To Malaysia from today till tomorrow can boost military and defence diplomatic ties between both countries.

The MAF Public Affairs Division said in a statement today that the programme, organised by the ADF - Maritime Task Group involved cooperation between the MAF Medical Services and the Royal Australian Navy.

The statement said that ADF was present with two Australian naval vessels, HMAS Adelaide, a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) and HMAS Anzac, a frigate, that departed from Vishakapatnam Port, India on Nov 1 and arrived in the Straits of Melaka today.

"Today’s event began with an aeromedical evacuation demonstration by ADF from the HMAS Adelaide with an Australian military helicopter carrying a patient to the MAF field hospital at the field of the Armed Forces Medical Training Institute (INSAN) in Terendak Camp, Melaka.

"The demonstration was witnessed by ADF Commanding Surgeon General Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey, MAF Medical Services director-general Lt Gen Datuk Dr Zulkeffeli Mat Jusoh and the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Justin Lee," the statement read.

MAF meanwhile organised the MAF field hospital exhibition, with Sarah given the honour of officiating the Battlefield Trauma Care Simulation Centre that was donated by ADF through the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program at the INSAN Academic Building Auditorium.

The Battlefield Trauma Care Simulation Centre is a space housing simulation equipment facilities to train MAF medical personnel to react quickly and accurately in providing emergency care to patients at various hospital or pre-hospital levels.

"This programme, especially in the field of medicine and healthcare, can assist the MAF Medical Services in capacity development to support military operations and provide optimum response during humanitarian aid missions or during crises within the country or abroad,” the statement read.

Tomorrow, the ADF, through the Key Leader Engagement (KLE) will pay a courtesy call to Dr Zulkeffeli, Armed Forces Religious Corps director-general Maj Gen Mohd Rashidi Bujai and Royal Malaysian Navy Hydrography director-general Rear Admiral Datuk Hanafiah Hassan.

"The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) seminar will also be held tomorrow at Wisma Pertahanan, involving the police, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, National Defence University of Malaysia and the Defence and Security Institute of Malaysia, together with the Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls, Christine Blake," the statement read.

-- BERNAMA