22 September 2015

Editorial: Malaysia, Indonesia Boost Counterterrorism Cooperation

By Prashanth Parameswaran

Move comes amid rising Islamic State threat in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism following a four-day working visit of Malaysia’s deputy prime minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to Jakarta.

According to a statement released by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the two countries will cooperate in de-radicalization efforts, with Malaysia’s Home Ministry hosting an international workshop next year that is expected to come up with a standard operating procedure on handling the issue. Apart from Indonesia, other countries such as the United States, Britain, and Australia will also be invited to participate in the workshop.

Beyond de-radicalization, the two countries also reportedly discussed efforts to step up cooperation and exchange of intelligence information on anti-terrorism issues.

Read the full story at The Diplomat