Defence line keeps peace and sovereignty intact

KUALA LUMPUR: The preparedness of the country's security and defence forces in the entire year of 2014 has kept the nation's peace and sovereignty intact. In 2014, the country continued to be challenged with various cases involving kidnap and intrusion to test the integrity and sacrifice of the security forces in defending the country's sovereignty.

There were incidents of kidnapping in Sabah involving foreign terrorists which forced the government to implement nine phases of curfew in the waters of Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) starting from July 19 to Dec 8.

The country's defence forces continued to be strengthened with the acquisition of new assets to repulse and decimate threats to the country.

The Air Force proudly took possesion of four units of EC725 Eurocopters to replace 28 Nuri helicopters in service since 1968, as part of the 12 Eurocopter order valued at RM1.6 billion on June 3.

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Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

On the other hand, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) received three new patrol boats at the naval jetty in Teluk Sepanggar, Kota Kinbalu on Nov 12.

On Nov 24, the Royal Malaysian Air Force commissioned nine new aircraft, expected to arrive in stages starting in the first quarter of next year to 2016, comprising four Airbus A400M transport planes and five PC-7 MK II training aircraft.

Malaysia also continued to play an important role in international security mission in 2014.

The most prestigious recognition for the country was being voted as one of the five non-permanent members of United Nations Security Council after securing 187 of the 197 votes on Oct 16.

In the international peacekeeping arena, 844 members of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) who completed duty with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) on Oct 1, were awarded the United Nations Overseas Service Medal (PNBB).

On Sept 4, 213 members of the Malaysian Battalion 850-2 (Malbatt 850-2) left for Lebanon to carry out Unifil mission for 12 months.

During the year, a Terengganu naval boat also successfully rescued MT Ai Maru, an oil tanker which was captured by pirates in Selatan Pulau Aur in Mersing on June 15.

The navy also succeeded in foiling several attempts by a group of foreign fishermen from Vietnam to steal treasures from British warships which sank in the Second World War about 60 nautical miles from Tanjung Gelang, in Kuantan on Nov 28.

The fishermen were believed to have stolen precious items from two sunken ships namely HMS Repulse and HMS Prince Of Wales.

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In guarding the country's coastline, defence forces had to brave bad weather and dangerous seas and a naval combat boat CB204 was reported missing while on a mission on Oct 6 but the boat with seven crew members were found safe 24 hours later.

Apart from that, there were also tragic moments for the nation's defence personnel when two soldiers, a Sergeant and a Corporal were killed while two more were injured when an armoured car they were travelling in skidded before overturning at Kilometre 232.6 of the North-South Expressway near Kuala Kangsar on July 3. – Bernama

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