Malaysia has urged the Philippine government, as chairperson of Asean, to meet with the 10 defence ministers of its member countries to give the correct picture of what is happening in Marawi in the southern Philippines.

Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein said the information must be shared so that the member countries could be on the alert for the Islamic State (IS) militant threat.

“What is happening in Marawi must be shared because there is the possibility that there are member countries which think the issue does not affect the security of their country.

"Malaysia will also do its part so that Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar attend the briefing,” he said in a press conference at the Parliament building.

Hishammuddin said the proposal was part of the proactive action which could be taken to tackle the IS threat as decided during the joint declaration made at the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) 2015.

Marawi is currently in a state of turmoil after Philippine government forces clashed with the militants who have links with the IS.

Malaysia had previously sent humanitarian aid, comprising food and medical supplies to the Philippine army, and has planned the second phase of aid which includes sending the Malaysian Armed Forces forward medical team, equipment for clean water and an Armed Forces Religious Corp team (Kagat).

- Bernama