Malaysia, Saudi Arabia vow to boost military ties, tackle terrorism

Malaysia and Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that the two countries agree to strengthen military cooperation and tackle terrorism. (Photo by Secretary of Defense [Public domain])

In a joint statement released upon the completion of the state visit by Saudi king Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Malaysia, the two sides have agreed to strengthen the bilateral military cooperation by developing areas of joint training and exercise, and exchange of military experience.

The two countries also agreed, among others, on the need to intensify and concert joint efforts to confront extremism and reject sectarianism.

“The two sides agreed that the terrorism phenomenon should not be linked to any race, color or religion,” said the statement.

During the king’s visit, Saudi Aramco and Petronas, the two national oil companies from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia respectively, entered into partnership in which Saudi Aramco will invest USD 7 billion in a refinery in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, called Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development.