KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia has voiced its agreement to meet on the proposed joint-patrol in the Sulu Sea, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

“The proposal to implement this stems from the successful joint patrol in the Straits of Malacca which involved Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

“(Apart from Indonesia) the implementation of the security patrol in Sulu Sea will see cooperation with the Philippines and Brunei, as well as Singapore and Thailand as observers.

Let the respective chiefs of defence decide at national level before the matter is discussed and decided. “Within Asean, we have managed to establish a strong working relationship and trust to enable this to work.

We can bring this up further (proposal) in Laos at the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) where we can have a side meeting with the other 10 state members,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

On a different matter, he said based on intelligence reports, the Islamic State terrorist group has not yet immersed itself fully in hotspots in the Philippines and other areas in the region.

“We haven’t reached a situation like you see in the case of Boko Haram (in Africa). That’s a good sign, but we must not stay complacent.Intelligence agencies are monitoring it closely.

“(On the other hand) I am very concerned with the Mindanao peace talks (with Bangsamoro in the Philippines),” he said.

It was reported that Malaysia had plans to invite Singapore and Thailand to become observers for security patrols in the Sulu Sea.-NST