Jakarta (Antara Lampung) - Some 402 Indonesian soldiers aboard warship KRI Banda Aceh 593 arrived at the Kemaman Commercial Port in Malaysia on Monday to take part in a joint exercise along with their Malaysian counterparts.
The joint exercise, dubbed Latgabma Malindo Darsasa-9 AB/2016, is being conducted under the Combined Coordination Center (CCC) theme.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, chief of staff of the infantry division of the Indonesian Army's Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad), Brigadier General Agus Suhardi, in his capacity as the deputy exercise director of Latgabma Malindo Darsasa-9 AB/2016, welcomed the soldiers who had just arrived in the neighboring country.
"I am proud of you for having arrived here and I see you are all in good health," he stated.
The 402 Indonesian soldiers left the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) pier in North Jakarta on July 21 aboard Indonesian warship Banda Aceh 593 led by Lieutenant Colonel Budi Santosa, a commander of Indonesian warship Banda Aceh Class.
Suhardi explained that the soldiers will take part in the joint exercise with their Malaysian counterparts, particularly in mitigating natural disasters including evacuating affected people.
It will enable them to act more quickly while facing any eventualities in the future, he said.
"Soldiers in the field must comply with the existing rules. We belong to the same family and share experiences (with our Malaysian counterparts). Do your jobs well during the exercise. Let us forge our friendship and not violate any rules," he exhorted them.
