Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Some 500 Indonesian soldiers will take part in a joint exercise with their Malaysian counterparts in Tanjung Gelang, Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia from July 21 to August 3.

Deputy assistant for operations to the Indonesian military (TNI) chief, Vice Admiral Hardjo Susmoro, representing assistant for operations to the TNI chief, Major General Agung Ridhianto, bade farewell to the 500 soldiers in a military ceremony at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT)s pier in North Jakarta on Thursday.

The joint exercise, dubbed Latgabma Malindo Darsasa-9 AB/2016, is being conducted under the theme of Combined Coordination Center (CCC) and is aimed at enhancing cooperation, maintaining mutual understanding and increasing professionalism of the two countries soldiers in an effort to create a disaster mitigation strategy along their borders.

Ridhianto added that the TNI should continue to cooperate with relevant agencies as well as with military forces of other countries, particularly neighboring Malaysia, to continue to ensure and enhance their level of preparedness and capability in mitigating disaster and providing humanitarian assistance.

"As such, the TNI will be able to play its role in providing solutions to problems faced by the two countries which are prone to natural disasters," he stated.

He asked the TNI soldiers to emphasize zero accident approach while carrying out all activities related to the joint exercise, to always ensure security of the self and to guard the equipment and instruments entrusted to them.

"Show the host your discipline, spirit, cooperation, solidity and interoperability among soldiers of the three TNI forces," he urged.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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