JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Armed Forces has various strategies and mechanisms in place to assist flood relief operations, especially in badly affected areas, for the monsoon transition phase expected to last till May.

       Army Western Field Commander Lt-Jen Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said the matter had been discussed with state and district-level disaster management committees so that all would go smoothly.“We are always prepared to deal with the monsoon transition phase. Systems and mechanisms are there.

       “For mobilisation in the early stages, (the focus) is on affected areas followed by sending out assets to expected high-risk areas,” he said at the launch of the Semangat Bersatu Series 26/2022 joint exercise between the Malaysian Army and the Singapore Army at Ulu Tiram Camp, Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) here yesterday.Also present was Singapore Armed Forces commander, training and doctrine command Brig-Gen Andrew Lim Heng Tiew, according to Bernama.

       Regarding the Semangat Bersatu exercise, Lt-Jen Muhammad Hafizuddeain said it was aimed at strengthening military cooperation and building understanding and tolerance between both countries.

       He said the exercise, held from March 18 to 25, involved 295 Malaysian Armed Forces officers and personnel, and 95 of their Singaporean counterparts.

       The exercise focused on offensive operations involving two phases of conventional warfare in the general area of Ulu Tebrau.

       He said the exercise would test the function of the infantry units with the involvement of combat elements and assistance in taking on threats and achieving bilateral ties between both countries.