MIRI: San Shui camp of the National Service Training programme (PLKN) in Tawau, Sabah, will be the new home for the 8th Battalion of Border Regiment.
The 8th battalion began settling in PLKN Camp Sungai Rait Miri on April 1, 2016.
The strength at the beginning of the establishment was 11 officers and 21 personnel.
The relocation is part of the Malaysian Army’s restructure plan announced recently by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, said Commander of 31st Infantry Brigade Brigadier General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng.
Lim was met after attending a closing parade ceremony held yesterday at the PLKN Camp Sungai Rait here.
Some 212 of the 8th Battalion Border Regiment took part in the closing camp ceremony parade.
“Tawau, Sabah (PLKN San Shui) was chosen as our new location to help strengthen the security forces there and maintain order,” said Lim.
He said the process (the relocation) involved would be done in stages as they have been moving out assets and personnel of the camp.
With the relocation, Lim advised the 8th Battalion Border Regiment personnel to adapt to their new environment and to always protect the army’s good name.
The 8th Battalion’s closing ceremony was led by its commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Mohd Johaizad Jarudin.
On August this year Youth and Sport Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced the abolishment of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN).
Since the establishment of PLKN in 2003, Camp Sungai Rait Miri was started to be used as training venue for the three-month programme.
The programme was halted for a year in 2015 due to budget constrain.
On April 1 in 2016 the 8th Battalion of the Border Regiment moved in to the PLKN Camp Sungai Rait Miri.
