Practice Makes Perfect

So it has been confirmed that Malaysia is is part of the 20-nation joint-military exercise that is hosted by Saudi Arabia.  The exercise, code-name Northern Thunder is being touted as the largest military exercise involving Muslim and Muslim-majority countries. 

Arrival of Malaysian troops in Saudi Arabia
Credit - صحيفة الشـروق ، ماليزيا

Arrival of Malaysian troops in Saudi Arabia
Credit - صحيفة الشـروق ، ماليزيا

Arrival of Malaysian troops in Saudi Arabia
Credit - صحيفة الشـروق ، ماليزيا

Arrival of Malaysian troops in Saudi Arabia
Credit - صحيفة الشـروق ، ماليزيا

Now that being said, it is very annoying to see another Opposition leader trying to question the need and the relevancy for Malaysia to join the combined military exercise in Middle-East.  Mr. Lim Lip Eng of Democratic Action Party had raised questions why Malaysia is participating in this exercise, especially when Saudi Arabia is involved in Yemen's civil war against Iranian-backed Houthi. 

His rather weak and feeble attempt to link the exercise with the beleaguered state strategic investment company, 1MDB and the political donation/investment/whatever-you-want-to-call-it shows that his questions were raised only as an after-thought and to politicise the matter. 

Military Exercise

First of all, Malaysia conducts military exercises with many different countries, all under different names.  And not all of these exercises are being published in the media, be it main stream media or alternative media. 

Just to name a few exercises that Malaysia conducts with friendly nations:

Ex Peace and Friendship - HADR Section
Credit - Xinhua Net

1. Exercise Peace and Friendship 2015 (Malaysia and China).
2. Exercise CARAT (Malaysia, United States for Malaysian phase).
3. Exercise Keris Strike (Malaysia and United States).
4. Exercise Cope Taufan (Malaysia and United States).
5. Exercise Teak Mint (Malaysia and United States).
6. Exercise Haringgaroo (Malaysia and Australia).
7. Exercise Thamal (Malaysia and Thailand).
8. Exercise Semangat Bersatu (Malaysia and Singapore).
9. Exercise Cobra Gold (Malaysia, US and South Korea).
10. Exercise Malindo Darsasa (Malaysia and Indonesia).
11. Exercise Malbru Setia (Malaysia and Brunei).

These are but only a few of the exercises that Malaysia conducts with friendly nations. 

In fact, Malaysia also conducts military exercise with countries where Malaysia has border disputes with.  For example, China, Singapore and Indonesia.  Despite ongoing disputes on some territorial issues, Malaysia still hold joint-military exercises with these nations.  The intention is to create an informal relationship between military forces where they can and are likely to use informal communication means to cool down situation before things start to hit the fan. 

Why do Malaysia need to train in the Middle-East? 

Middle-East is so far away from Malaysia.  How does Middle-East figure in Malaysia's defence?  Some might be asking that question.  

I can share 3 reasons. 

Malaysia is part of United Nations. 

As a member nation of the United Nations, Malaysia has been one of the most active countries in contributing her forces to peacekeeping missions worldwide. Thus, Malaysia is bound to be serving in peacekeeping missions with any of the other 19 nations that are involved in the exercise.  In fact, in one of the peacekeeping missions that Malaysia had participated, Malaysia forces had operated together with Pakistani forces and US forces to rescue US soldiers trapped in the Mogadishu.  And Pakistan is one of the 19 countries that is also involved in the joint-military exercise. 

Malaysia is part of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC)

As founding member of OIC, Malaysia has played important role in trying to secure peace in Southern Philippines.  One of the key roles that Malaysia played is the formation of IMT, or International Monitoring Team. 

The formation of IMT which is under the aegis of OIC is one of the measures that United Nations is trying to implement worldwide to lessen the burden on UN (similar to African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia).

There are thousands of Malaysians living in Middle-East

Once upon a time, Malaysians made a beeline to Middle-East to further studies.  When the Arab Spring broke out, many Malaysians were trapped in the region, unable to fly back to Malaysia because the tickets were too expensive and seats were scarce.  

Malaysian Government took the bull's horn and initiated evacuation plan using RMAF C130, Air Asia and Malaysian Airlines planes.  No small effort, considering the need to coordinate the evacuation with many Middle-East countries. 

So there you have it

We have special interest in the region.  Despite the distance, our future is pretty much tied up with Middle-East.  And it is not just because of religion, but more to the strategic need for Malaysia. 

Meanwhile, enjoy the photos from different military exercises that Malaysian Armed Forces had joined in the past. 

RMN personnel with a PLA - Navy commando
Credit - China Defence Blog

Malaysian military personnel and American Air Force personnel during Exercise Keris Aman
Credit - USAF photo

USAF and RMAF flying in formation.  Note the F22 Raptor.
Credit - US DoD

Malaysian Army and US Army.
Credit - US DoD

Malaysian and Indonesian military personnel.
Credit - Borneo Post

Exercise Keris Strike 2013 between Malaysian Army and US military
Credit - Robert Ham

Malaysian Army in Exercise in Hawaii.
For video, click here.

International Monitoring Team in Mindanao.  Note that several non-OIC countries are also involved.
Credit - IMT Website

Exercise Haringgaroo
You can watch the video here.

Exercise Haringgaroo 2015

As recorded by my good friend, Rafe De Malayo.  Click here for the link to his blog.

Ex Carat 2014
Photo believed to be belonging to Dzirhan Mahadzir of Janes

Malus Amphex 2015
Photo belonging to Mr. Syark

Malus Amphex 2015 
Photo belonging to Mr. Syark

Malaysian and Canadian soldiers in a joint-military exercise
Credit TMI

Exercise Bersama Lima between Malaysia 

Practice makes perfect, so that when our soldiers are called upon to defend this country, they will not sweat blood.  And not just words, words like finding missing planes by just appointing them to the to head the air force and navy.  Internet never forgets, and so do us.

Note: I have made it a point to ensure the faces of Malaysian Special Forces operatives are being blurred out.  Despite the fact the same uncensored photos are being shared elsewhere, I do not want to be responsible for causing their identities to be known openly.