Pos tanduo: The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is set to enhance Malaysia’s security and sovereignty in Sabah through a comprehensive ‘future force’ initiative. This strategic plan is scheduled to unfold over the next five years, starting from next year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, announced several key measures, including the expansion of battalions in two brigades within the state, and the establishment of a new artillery regiment. “Normally, one brigade has three battalions but for Sabah, we will add another battalion to the two brigades, making it four battalions for each involved brigade. This means two battalions from the peninsula will be transferred to Sabah,” he stated.
Further, the minister emphasized the formation of a 155mm artillery regiment, enhancing the existing 105mm regiment in Sabah. Additionally, the deployment of four coastal radar systems, double the initially planned number, will fortify the Ops Pasir area, including Lahad Datu.
Minister Mohamed Khaled shared these developments after his visit to Pos Tanduo, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to addressing security concerns in Sabah. He also mentioned efforts to strengthen the Royal Malaysia Navy, highlighting the acquisition of a mobile base in Semporna, named the Tun Sharifah Rodziah Naval Base, and plans to acquire new ships and aircraft.
Incorporating advanced technology is also on the agenda. The minister suggested increasing the use of high-tech solutions in operations across the extensive Ops Pasir sectors, such as Lahad Datu. The integration of drones and artificial intelligence (AI) technology is expected to streamline military operations and enhance personnel efficiency.
He noted that the bolstering of national security and sovereignty positively influences Sabah’s tourism industry, which attracted approximately 1.7 million tourists this year. “The presence of Ops Pasir, with its defined areas of responsibility, can ensure that Sabah’s economy runs smoothly. Imagine if there were no operations like this, smuggling or unsafe situations might occur, but today the situation is calm and safe,” he remarked.