SAMARAHAN: The Malaysian Army has organised the movement of thousands of personnel to Sarawak including three groups, namely the Third Brigade, the 9th Brigade and the 31st Brigade.
Senior Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said this arrangement was to enable the operation of the Army under the Division 1 Headquarters to continue operating at an optimal level.
This initiative will also be discussed during the courtesy call on Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today.
“The Army has also placed a total of 13 posts consisting of 10 Balanced Posts and three Combined Posts.
“Taking into account the current needs in the state, the Army will also add 12 more new posts, some of which have already started construction.
“They will also convert the existing three posts to Combined Posts. However, for security reasons, the locations of these posts will not be disclosed in detail,” he said this is a press conference after officiating at the Malaysia Armed Forces (ATM) Health Polyclinic, at Kem Penrissen, yesterday.
According to him, the Combined Posts are important not to mention Indonesia’s plan to move its capital to Kalimantan.
He added that the matter will also be discussed when he and Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto chaired the 42nd Meeting of the Malaysia-Indonesia General Border Committee (GBC MALINDO) in Kuala Lumpur next week.
At the same time, to ensure that efforts to preserve the sovereignty of the waters in Sarawak can be implemented more holistically, the Eastern Sea Region Headquarters (MAWILLA) 4 is planned to be built in phases in Tanjung Borgam, Samalaju through the 12th and 13th Malaysia Plan.
“The construction of MAWILLA 4 is a very important requirement to further increase the operational capability of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) in guarding the country’s strategic installations in Sarawak waters,” he said.
Next, for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM), a total of three CN235 aircrafts are being upgraded through the Maritime Security Initiative (MSI) cooperation programme with the United States specifically to improve the operation of the air force in Sarawak.
“One of the three upgraded aircrafts has already been completed and is now under No. 1 Squadron at Kuching Air Base while the other two are expected to be completed this September which will also be stationed at the same base,” he said.
He explained that all initiatives undertaken will continue to be strengthened from time to time to ensure that the sovereignty and security of Sarawak is maintained and defended from any threat.
