According to Hasyim, among reasons why he can feel at home in Cilodong is that Indonesians and Malaysians have the same culture and physical features, and they speak Malay.

"Here, wherever I go, I can do myself. I can speak with everyone even at eating stalls or people living in the vicinity of the complex in Cilodong. They even consider that I am an Indonesian," Hasyim said.

On his participation in the 14th AARM, Hasyim who have been to Indonesia several times said he always shows enthusiasm whenever he is appointed to take part in such an event as he is always impressed by such an activity.

"In such an activity, we can join our friends from other ASEAN member countries. I see that they can maintain harmony. Although we have language problem among us like when speaking with our friends from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, we can make jokes," he said, adding that Malaysians look more familiar with Indonesians because they speak the same language, Malay.

Hasyim who have been in the Malaysian military for 27 years was also active as a member of the organizing committee of the 13th AARM in Malaysia.

Hasyim's latest visit to Indonesia was in 1994 when Indonesia was still ruled by former President Soeharto during the New Order era.

"Now I visit Indonesia again. The country has made a lot of changes," he said, adding that Indonresia experiences rapid changes in the sector of mass media and media technology on a par with those of other ASEAN member countries.

On the holding of the 14th AARM in Cilodong, Hasyim said Indonesia seems to have made adequate preparations for the event. "We as soldiers must always be ready with whatever condition possible. We have to be able to live modestly, and the way Indonesia organizes the event is already enough," he said.

Although Hasyim said he feels at home in Cilodong, he is actually home sick as the father of two children has been abroad for several days.

During his participation in the 14th AARM, Hasyim frequently visits the Media Centre to send messages to his family by e-mail.

Some 500 athletes are taking part in the shooting championship among the armies of the Asean member countries -- Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Brunei darussalam. (B005/a/b005) (T.B005/A/B005/B005)