Tackling security threats demand strong collective commitment, cooperation: General Lim

TAMPIN: Recent security threats demand a strong collective commitment and international cooperation, said Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces Lt Gen Perry Lim.
According to him, in recent years the Southeast Asian region has seen an increase in maritime security threats.
“Terrorist activities have risen and ISIS is looking towards Southeast Asia to perpetuate its claims to a caliphate. Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have similarly experienced the threat of terrorism,” he said in his closing remarks of the SUMAN Protector 2017 Exercise, here, today.
Also present was Malaysian Defence Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.
Lim added that the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) which was established in 1971 is an important platform for member nations to develop joint capabilities and demonstrate their common resolve.
“As we incorporate non-conventional operations in our exercise, we must also continue to enhance FPDA conventional capabilities, as these are the basic building blocks to our partnership. FPDA exercises allow us to build interoperability.
“The Joint Planning Process has helped our militaries develop common operating procedures. Exercising together also allows us to build trust and establish understanding,” he said.
Commenting further, Lim said Singapore remained steadfastly committed to the FPDA, which contributes to regional peace and stability and remains an integral part of Singapore-Malaysia security architecture.
“It is vital for us to continue to deliver professional value to all member militaries in both the conventional and non-conventional domains,” he added.
The FPDA involves defence cooperation between five Commonwealth countries – Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand – in the event of threat of armed attack on Malaysia or Singapore.
The word SUMAN is derived from the names of the nations – Singapore, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.
SUMAN Protector 2017 is the third series of the exercise after Butterworth, Penang in 2007 and Singapore in 2012.
About 180 soldiers participated in the 11-day SUMAN Protector Exercise which began on Sept 25. The next exercise in 2022 will be held in Singapore. — Bernama