LD copter base, Labuan airport upgrade and new Sabah battalion
Published on: Saturday, February 13, 2016
Kuching: Sufficient measures have been taken to beef up security in Sabah to face the Islamic State (IS) threat, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said.The Defence Minister, who was in Sarawak on a three-day working visit, said the best efforts had been put in to implement the measures in Sabah.They include refurbishing two offshore oil platforms as offshore bases, upgrading the Hawk aircraft stationed in Sabah and equipping Blackhawk and Nuri helicopters with weapons.ADVERTISEMENT "Lahad Datu will be turned into a helicopter base and Labuan airport will be upgraded. We have a new battalion in Sabah so that our assets are sufficiently deployed there."I believe what we have done is sufficient to face security threats," he said after meeting Armed Forces personnel at Kem Penrissen, here.Hishammuddin was commenting on reports that Philippine militant groups like Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had pledged allegiance to IS.He added that the measures put in place in Sabah would also include looking after Sarawak's security.ADVERTISEMENT Hishammuddin also said RM1.2bil had been allocated under the 11th Malaysia Plan to build 4,000 houses for Armed Forces personnel in 11 locations nationwide.He also said the Defence Ministry plans to capitalise on the popularity of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to encourage more people to join the Sarawak-level Territorial Army.
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He described Adenan as an icon who was well liked by people from all walks of life in the state."The chief minister is very popular in the state and this cannot be denied. And Adenan is popular because of his leadership and integrity, which has been accepted by all people, including the younger generation."He is an icon," Hishammuddin said after he made a courtesy call on Adenan at the latter's Wisma Bapa Malaysia office in Petra Jaya.Present were Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi, Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Dr Zukifeli Mohd Zin and Army chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Norr.Adenan was awarded the honorary Brigadier- General of the Territorial Army rank. The chief minister has also been appointed the Sarawak-level Territorial Army Support Committee patron."The chief minister has also shown his commitment to support initiatives carried out by the ministry. His popularity can help the ministry in getting more people to join the Territorial Army," said Hishammuddin.Adenan, who was in Sibu to celebrate Chinese New Year with the locals, raised RM1.4 million in donations with his rendition of some oldies, at a dinner. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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The host, the Sibu divison Chinese United Association, will decide on the non-governmental organisations in the state which will receive the funds. Present were Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, his wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, Adenan's wife and state Industrial Development Minister Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.