Perks extended also to 1,200 on duty in Sabah
Published on: Sunday, August 13, 2017
Sandakan: The Government has approved implementation of the Offshore Station Tasks Incentive Payment for the Trilateral Maritime Patrol and Trilateral Air Patrol specifically for personnel on duty at the 22 new Ops Pasir posts.The post was established following the intrusion incident in Lahad Datu by the Royal Sulu Army.A total of 1,200 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces on duty at the new posts will receive an additional incentive of about RM1,400 during their three months duty.
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Prior to this, those assigned to the 22 new posts were not eligible to receive the incentive because the posts were not gazetted. Defence Minister cum Special Task Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said previously the incentive was only given to those in the Malaysian Armed Forces on duty in offshore areas as well as those lacking special facilities. This includes offshore stations in Spratly Island, South China Sea (five posts), existing Ops Pasir in the east coast of Sabah (28 posts), Op Pejarak in Pulau Perak and Pulau Jarak in the Straits of Malacca (two posts). He said the implementation was due to the application made by the Ministry of Defence to the Public Service Department to consider that personnel assigned to the 22 new posts also be eligible for the incentive.
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"As a result of the government's concern, this incentive payment has been approved and will begin to take effect from August this year," he said. "It is also part of the government's latest effort to help defend the fate and safeguard the welfare of the Malaysian Armed Forces," he added.
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The Umno Vice-President said this at a press conference after officiating the Libaran Umno Division at the Libaran Multipurpose Hall here, Saturday. Also present were Sabah Umno Liaison Chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman who is Sabah Chief Minister and Libaran Umno Chief, his Deputy and Vice, Datuk Juslie Ajirol and Datuk Zakaria Edris, Libaran, among others. Beginning this month, personnel assigned to the 22 new posts will receive the incentive payment at rate of RM16 per day, similar to those assigned to offshore stations in Spratly Islands, South China Sea, and existing Op Pasir in the east coast of Sabah, Op Pejarak at Pulau Perak and Pulau Jarak in the Straits of Malacca. Hishammuddin said this includes delivery of land and air assets for the purpose of further strengthening security in Sabah. In another development, Hishammuddin said the Joint Working Group for the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement involving Defence Ministry representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines held its fourth meeting in Kuala Lumpur last week. The meeting focused on enhancing aspects of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol initiative and refining the implementation of the Trilateral Air Patrol that will be implemented soon. He said discussions and agreements reached at the Trilateral Maritime Patrol meeting was to fine tune the implementation of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol standard operating procedures.The Trilateral Maritime Patrol has been implemented by the three Asean countries namely Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines after its launch on June 19. Joint military exercises between the three countries will be implemented as part of the military training agenda involving the navy. He added that the success of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol in Malaysian waters including areas in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone apart from the Malaysian Armed Forces has also foiled smuggling attempts. On that note, Hishammuddin said also discussed during the Joint Working Group meeting was implementation of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol's new initiatives. Among discussed by the meeting was the launching of the Trilateral Air Patrol which will be implemented by the three countries, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines at the Subang Air Base in October. Standard Operating Procedures on the implementation of the Trilateral Air Patrol will also be discussed. Hishammuddin hoped implementation of the Trilateral Air Patrol will proceed smoothly as it is important to ensure the waters of the Sulu Sea are free from threats on security particularly Sabah in general and the region as a whole. He said it is the Malaysian government's commitment to fight the Islamic State (IS), Daesh and extremism. On matters related to Sabah Umno, Hishammuddin was deeply moved by the party's commitment under the leadership of Musa Aman, who in addition to politics, was also very committed to the state's economic and education development of locals. Hishammuddin said the party has also embraced the needs of the people and is continuous in efforts to get closer to the people. He hoped the good momentum will continue despite faced with numerous challenges over the past year with some leaders from the State who have left the party, leaders and members of Sabah Umno continue to be loyal. He said Sabah Umno remains strong despite being faced with challenges with several parties leaving the party since last year. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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