Armed forces to increase border control after attacks in neighbouring countries

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) has been instructed to increase its border control nationwide in the wake of terror attacks in Malaysia's neighbouring countries.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he had been closely monitoring the recent attack and bombing incidents in Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines.
Hishammuddin, who is also the Minister with Special Functions, said he had contacted the defence ministers of the affected countries to acquire the latest development of the situations.
"Malaysia through ATM will continue to closely cooperate with armed forces from the three countries to strengthen security in the respective countries including intelligence sharing," he said.
"At the same time, I had instructed ATM to increase border control as all of the incidents occured in three countries neighbouring Malaysia," he said in a statement.
A hospital bombing in Bangkok, a bombing in East Jakarta and clashes between militant group and Philippines army in Mindanao had claimed dozens of lives and injures many others, all of which occured within a span of one week.
Hishammuddin also said that ATM would be adding its mobilisation of assets in Sabah to improve and strengthen the security in the Bornean state.
He said he had also talked about the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"The deputy prime minister had requested for ATM to closely cooperate with other security agencies in the country to ensure the sovereignty and security of Sabah and the nation continue to be preserved," he added.
He said ATM and other security forces in Malaysia were always thinking of the best method from time to time in facing the threat of terror.
"We will not bow down to any parties or groups that are trying to disrupt the security and sovereignty of the country," he said.