Myanmar Shows Interest in Buying Indonesia's Defense Products  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Myanmar government has expressed interest in buying Indonesian-made defense products.

Myanmars deputy home affairs minister Brigadier General Kyow Kyow Tin said: "The question now is the price," at a meeting with visiting Indonesian defense industry delegation on Friday, as quoted by Antara News.

In the meeting, Kyow Kyow Tin was flanked by Myanmar's national police chief Zar Win, many officials from the senior home affairs ministry, and police officials.

The Indonesian delegation comprising members from three state-owned companies and seven private companies was led by the expert staff of the Committee for Institutional Relations and Cooperation Silmy Karim. Also, Indonesias products wanted by Myanmar were kept on display.

Myanmars home affairs minister Lieutenant General Ko Ko took the opportunity to view the displayed products produced by aircraft company PT Dirgantara Indonesia, arms manufacturer PT Pindad, and shipbuilding company PT PAL, as well as products of many private companies, such as PT Saba Wijaya Persada that produces police equipment, including bullet-proof vest, helmet, and anti-riot gear.

Earlier, deputy defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated that his working visit to Myanmar from September 11 to 13 along with defense industrialists was aimed at providing direct information to Myanmarese government and military officials about Indonesias defense products.

Kyow Kyow Tin had inquired about the prices of the products and their quality.

Myanmar's home affairs ministry has planned to order various defense equipment to be used by the police, such as anti-riot vehicles, weapons, uniforms, vests, helmets, and even ships.

ANTARA | BUDI SETYAWANTO