Kota kinabalu: The Ministry of Defence is set to bolster military presence in Sabah with an increase in personnel to enhance security measures in the region, announced Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. Sabah faces a range of security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional, which the ministry aims to address comprehensively.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister emphasized the need to maximize security efforts in Sabah, which includes the establishment of a new naval base to accommodate incoming vessels expected within the next couple of years. The ministry is also deploying high-security drone technology in Sabah’s waters and plans to increase the number of coastal radars to ensure comprehensive surveillance coverage.

Mohamed Khaled shared these initiatives during a media briefing at the Malaysia Armed Forces (MAF) Family Day Carnival held at Kubota Camp. He highlighted the importance of community involvement alongside the MAF and other security forces to safeguard national sovereignty and safety.

In his address, the minister noted insights from the Defence White Paper, underscoring the critical role of the community through the ‘Whole of Government, Whole of Society’ approach. He encouraged the public in Sabah to act as vigilant observers and report any criminal activities to support national security efforts.

The Sabah MAF Family Day Carnival, he noted, serves as a crucial platform to promote the welfare and morale of ATM personnel and to build public understanding of the MAF’s strategic role in maintaining national peace and security.