Newer bigger RMN base in Karamunting plan
Published on: Saturday, June 23, 2018
Sandakan: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) plans to build a newer, bigger base in Karamunting to place the Second Sea Region Headquarters (Mawilla 2), which is currently based on KD Sri Sandakan. RMN Eastern Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Datuk Syed Zahiruddin Putra Syed Osman said the reason for the planned transfer is because the current base is too busy and unsuitable as it is really near to the city."The plan to move Mawilla 2 is also to make room for new patrol vessels. In addition to the two patrol vessels received this year, the Eastern Fleet will be receiving two more either at the end of this year or early next year. ADVERTISEMENT Once the construction of Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) from China is completed in 2019, they will also be placed under the Eastern Fleet."A piece of land in Karamunting has already been identified for the transfer of Mawilla 2 and RMN Chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin has also approved of this plan," he said.Meanwhile, Syed commended the transfer of Mawilla 2 to Sandakan on August 2017, after it was moved from the Sepanggar Naval Base that same year, saying it was a good move. He said since the transfer, all sea operations, patrols and exercises have been implemented more effectively. ADVERTISEMENT "Since its transfer until now, there were also no occurrence of unwanted incidents such as kidnappings in Sabah East Coast waters," he added.Syed said this during a press conference after witnessing the handing over of duties between Rear Admiral Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob and Rear Admiral Datuk Ganesh Navaratnam at the Mohd Azim Hall in the RMN Family Home, Taman Samudera, here, on Friday (pic).
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Ganesh, who was previously Kuala Lumpur Naval Base Inspector-General, will be replacing Ayob as the new Mawilla 2 Commander, while Ayob will be transferred to the Eastern Fleet to serve as its new commander. Syed, on the other hand, will be the new Angkatan Bersama Commander in Kuala Lumpur. When speaking to reporters, Ganesh said he will continue the commitment of Mawilla 2, where 80 per cent of its personnel will be in the field and the other 20 per cent will be in the office to continue Mawilla 2's vision and mission, which includes being close to the hearts of the local community.A handing over of duties ceremony was also held between Badan Kebajikan Angkatan Tentera (BAKAT) Laut Wilayah 2 chairperson Datin Dr Norinah Mustapha and Datin Kalairasi A/L Subramanium at Wisma Bayu on KD Sri Sandakan.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Earlier in his speech, Syed said Malaysia is a maritime country and the navy was given the mandate to protect the sovereignty and importance of the country's waters. He said the navy faces various challenges in this effort such as robbery and piracy, especially in Sabah East Coast waters. - Mardinah Jikur