BENTONG: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will meet his counterparts from Indonesia and the Philippines next week to further discuss issues pertaining to maritime security in the Sulu Sea.
He said the disscussion is to address maritime crimes namely kidnapping and hijacking of ships by the Abu Sayyaf group.
"The discussion will include co-operation in intelligence-sharing and sea-patrolling to curb maritime crimes in the area," he told reporters after opening the Bentong Umno divisional meeting here today.
Hishammuddin said he would meet his counterparts on the sidelines of United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial Meeting in London, starting tomorow.
He said strong co-operation between the three countries is crucial towards ensuring coordinated efforts while patrolling the sea.
"This is a regional issue, thus having modern and powerful assets alone is insufficient without co-operation," he said.
On the meeting, Hishamuddin said it is a continuation of the UN Peacekeeping Summit attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in New York last September.
The meeting will be attended by 77 countries that are involved in peacekeeping operations under the UN.