ALOR GAJAH, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Institute for Defence and Security Studies is positioned to make a strategic contribution to the country's and regional security, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the institute, which came under the ambit of the Defence Ministry, would pull the strength of PhD and masters degree holders in the ministry and its agencies.

"At present we have 29 Ph.D and 3,800 masters degree holders working with the ministry and its agencies.

"We will tap their knowledge and experience to produce research on defence and security for the institute," he told reporters after opening the Nadwah Ilmiah Seminar organised by the Malaysian Armed Forces' Religious Corp here last night.

Ahmad Zahid said he aspired to turn the institute into a leading non-political regional defence and security think-tank.

He said it would produce a defence and security journal and organise a yearly international seminar on Sept 16 to mark not only the Armed Forces Day but also the Malaysia Day.

"We will invite world renowned researchers, armed forces chiefs from neighbouring countries and retired armed forces top brass besides Malaysian armed Forces chief to present papers at the seminar," he said.

Thirty-one participants from the armed forces, police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and National Service Training Department take part in the three-day seminar starting yesterday.