LAHAD DATU: Malaysia and the United States (US) wrapped up eight days of joint military amphibious exercise (Malus Amphex 2014) in Kampung Tanduo, about 150km from here yesterday, renewing their commitment to ensure long-term peace, stability and security in Malaysia, particularly eastern Sabah.

About 500 personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces, as well as 285 US Marines and sailors from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit took part in the joint military excercise in Tanduo and its surrounding areas.

Tanduo was the landing site of the terrorist intruders from Sulu early last year.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the amphibious exercise, Malaysias Chief of Army Jen Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said Malus Amphex 2014, the first Malaysia-US joint exercise held in Sabah, was among others, designed to foster and strengthen the existing relationship between the people of the two nations.

US military presence in these waters (off eastern Sabah) coincides well with our policy of engaging with a strong and friendly policing force here.

With the recent spates of cross-border incidents that have plaqued the waters, joint Malaysia-United States military cooperation bodes well with our commitment to eradicate the menace that has been plaquing this part of our country for many decades, he said.

Raja Mohamed Affandi represented Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin at the function.

Also present were US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Commander Lt Gen John Toolan Jr and Joint Force Commander, Malaysian Armed Forces Lt Gen Datuk Seri Affendi Buang.

Raja Mohamed Affandi said the excercise focused on amphibious landing, engineering civil action programme and medical civic action programme.

He said the conduct of the exercise had greatly benefited the Malaysian Armed Forces in dealing with cross-border threats.

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