DEFENCE MINISTRY TO BOOST MILITARY STRENGTH IN SABAH - MOHAMED KHALED

TAWAU, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence plans to increase the number of military personnel as part of it efforts to strengthen security control in the state, said its Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Sabah, he said, faces various traditional and non-traditional security challenges that need to be addressed.

“We want to address the security issue in Sabah in a maximum way, strengthen security, in addition to establishing a new naval base to accommodate our new vessels that will be arriving in a year or two.

“Similarly, we are also deploying high-security drone technology in Sabah waters. We are also working on increasing the number of coastal radars in the state so that there are no areas left ‘unseen’, he said.

He told reporters this after officiating at the Malaysia Armed Forces (MAF) Family Day Carnival at the Kubota Camp here today.

In his speech, Mohamed Khaled said that apart from the MAF and other security forces, public involvement is also crucial to safeguarding the sovereignty and safety of the country.

“In the study of the Defence White Paper, we noted that there is a role that should be played by the community, through the ‘Whole of Government, Whole of Society’ approach, more so (the community) in Sabah can at least be the eyes and ears of the national security forces.

“The public can come forward to report any criminal activity so that action can be taken. We need the public to contribute to the success of the national security ecosystem,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the Sabah MAF Family Day Carnival had succeeded in becoming a platform to ensure the welfare and well-being of ATM personnel, in addition to strengthening morale and support.

“This carnival also directly paves the way for the public to better understand the strategic role of the MAF in preserving national peace, security and sovereignty,” he said.

-- BERNAMA