No US base in Sabah, says armed forces chief

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18: The Malaysian Armed Forces today dismissed rumours that the United States is setting up a military base in Sabah.

Armed Forces chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said in a statement that the rumours were “untrue”.

He said the Defence Ministry and the Armed Forces had no intention of allowing a foreign military base to be established in Malaysia.

‘Sultanate commanders’ in Sabah

Map of Sabah. Source: travelmalaysiaguide.com

KOTA KINABALU: Intelligence conducted by security forces has shown the existence of ‘panglima kesultanan’ (a sultanate commander) in all state constituencies in Sabah and it was seen as a threat to the nation, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said security threats posed by militant groups were no longer confined to Sabah’s east coast as they had spread to the west coast areas as well, he added.

It is a new challenge to the security forces.

RAKAM Is Best Communication Network For Maritime Community And Enforcement Agencies

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 29 (Bernama) -- The Maritime Community Friendly Interaction Programme (RAKAM) is the best communication and discussion network between the maritime community and enforcement agencies.

Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Region 2 commander, Rear Admiral Datuk Khairul Anuar Yahya said via RAKAM, enforcement agencies including the RMN, marine police, Fisheries Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the maritime community could conduct discussions to solve problems in the community.

Malaysian Army To Get Used Blackhawks From Brunei

Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk. Source: BorneoBulletin

KUALA LUMPUR: The army is expected to receive four used Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawk helicopters from Brunei this year, said army chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

Raja Mohamed Affandi said those helicopters will strengthen the security in Sabah.

On top of that, he added that the army is also expecting the delivery of 56 units of locally-assembled Armour Vehicles 8x8 (AV8) in stages this year, which will be sent to Sabah.

"So far, we have 27 units of AV8 in Tawau, Sabah. We believe all of these assets including Black Hawks will provide full protection for people in the east of Sabah," said Raja Mohamed Affandi, during a media conference in conjunction with the 83rd Malaysian Armed Forces Day at Wisma Perwira Tentera Darat, Kem Perdana Sungai Besi. (New Straits Times)

Hisham: Sabah security sufficient to thwart IS threat

Sabah. Source: Internet

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 is 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.

GOF to reinforce state’s Border Security Agency

Pic: Wikipedia

SIBU: General Operations Force (GOF) has been enlisted to assist the Border Security Agency (BSA) to add more bite in curbing border crimes, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“BSA has been upgraded administratively to replace the Smuggling Prevention Unit (UPP) and we have absorbed GOF to be in BSA.

“For now, we have mobilised (BSA) along borders in the northern Peninsula in the early stage.

Navy boat keeps many illegals at bay: Chief

Sandakan: The number of foreign boats detected or attempted influx by illegals into the State's waters has seen a significant reduction since the auxiliary naval vessel, Tun Azizan, arrived at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) here in June last year.

Navy Chief Admiral Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said he was happy with the performance of the vessel as a base for frontline operations.

"Numerous entry attempts by illegal foreigners have been stopped since the vessel took base in waters off here," he said during his visit to the vessel docked in Berhala waters, on Saturday.

MISC delivers new auxiliary vessel to the Royal Malaysian Navy

MISC Berhad (MISC) last Friday handed over to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) the Naval Auxiliary Vessel BUNGA MAS LIMA (BM5), joining the RMN’s current fleet that will be deployed to safeguard the safety of Malaysian waters and strengthen the RMN’s future maritime defense strategy, MISC said in a press release.

A ceremony to commemorate the handing over of the vessel was held recently at the RMN Kota Kinabalu Navy Base, Sabah and attended by representatives from MISC and the RMN. The event was graced by the presence of YBhg. Admiral Dato’ Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, Chief of Navy and Mr. Yee Yang Chien, President/CEO of MISC.

Arms buried at invasion site

Lahad Datu: A cache of rusted weapons and ammunitions was found buried under a former residential area in Kampung Tanduo here, Monday, raising eyebrows among security forces as to its origins.

According to State Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, all the weapons were badly damaged and unusable. Judging by their condition, it is believed that they have been kept underground for more than two years.

Our national security illusions - Nurul Izzah

THE world is witnessing unprecedented rising violence although formal declarations of war are few. Terrorism continues to claim an ever-greater number of lives. It seems to be spreading, irrespective of religious, national or cultural identity.

Customarily, our immediate response to threats and incidents of terrorist violence is to enhance "security" measures with the hope of containing violent extremism. Unfortunately, terrorism continues to morph into newer niches, rendering many counter-measures largely ineffective.

This failure reminds us that perhaps we have not fully grasped the multiple dimensions of the "security" challenge.

135 cartons of fags seized by PASKAL

Tawau: The PASKAL Navy team in Semporna seized a total of 135 cartons of white cigarette of Astro branded worth about RM6,075.00 from two Suluk-Filipino men at Gaya island, off Semporna, at about 10.15pm, Saturday.

District Maritime Enforcement Chief, Captain Anor Jaafar said the case was handed over to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here for further action.

He said a total of 32 empty gallons were also seized from the suspects, aged 20 and 35. Both were also found to have no identification documents.

ESSZone Residents Shaken By Kidnapping Of Two Malaysians

KOTA KINABALU (Bernama) -- Almost a year after the abduction of Constable Zakia Aliep of the Marine Police from a resort in Pulau Mabul, Semporna, on July 12, 2014, Sabah was again shaken by a similar incident.

The Ocean King Seafood Restaurant located near Jalan Bokara, Pasir Putih, about three kilometres from Sandakan town was the target of the abductors on May 14, 2015.

Australian submarine makes surprise appearance in Penang

HMAS Sheean

GEORGE TOWN: An Australian-based submarine made an appearance in Penang waters this morning, to the awe of hundreds of ferry passengers. The HMAS Sheean submarine will berth at the container terminal in Butterworth before sailing off again on Oct 2. 

A spokesman from the Royal Malaysian Navy said the submarine was here for a break. HMAS made a courtesy call on the Resident Naval Officer here. 

The submarine will make an operations call on Sabah from Oct 8 to Oct 12 for training with KD Tunku Abdul Rahman on Oct 12 and Oct 13 respectively. HMAS Sheean is the fifth Collins Class Submarine built by the ASC in Adelaide, Australia. (New Straits Times)

Boustead Heavy Industries Corp gets RM4.8mil naval base job

PETALING JAYA: Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd has received a RM4.8mil contract to the design, construction/adaptation of certain infrastructures of the Royal Malaysian Navy Kota Kinabalu Naval base.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Monday, the company said it got the sub-contract from Trans Resources Corp Sdn Bhd and was formally appointed as the technical assistance and coordination services provider last Friday.

The contract was signed for a period of 12 months, effective from Feb 1, the firm added.

It expected the new job to contribute positively to its earnings for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2016. (The Star)

"Malaysian Army strength in Sabah at the optimum level"

Papar: The army strength in Sabah is now at the optimum level following the deployment of nine battalions with more than 3,000 soldiers who are stationed in various places, including in the East Coast of Sabah.

Outgoing Task Force 450 Commander Major General Datuk Masrani Paiman said their presence has further boosted the security level in Sabah and the country.

Malaysian military implements initiatives to beef up security

SEPANGGAR: The Malaysian Armed Forces is implementing nine initiatives to beef up the level of security in Sabah, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said among them were the deployment of two sea basings, namely the Tun Azizan naval base and Tun Sharifah Rodziah naval base to enhance maritime security in the waters off Sabah east coast.

Philippines, Malaysia to hold naval drills in crime-ridden waters

Aug 24 - The Philippines and Malaysia will hold naval drills this week in seas that have become hunting grounds for the notorious Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, human traffickers and smugglers.

In an advisory, Naval Forces Western Mindanao said live-fire and interoperability exercises will be held in waters around the Zamboanga peninsula, and in seas separating Sulu province in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao and Malaysia's Sabah state.

Remember Jabidah Massacre? Historical Marker Unveiled in Corregidor 47 Years After

The Mindanao Garden of Peace, a memorial for the Moro soldiers killed in the Jabidah massacre, in Kindley Airfield, Corregidor. TRICIA AQUINO/InterAksyon.com

CORREGIDOR ISLAND, Philippines -- On 18 March 1968, between 14 and 200 young Moro soldiers secretly trained to retake Sabah were massacred here. The tragedy served as a catalyst of the Moro independence movement in Mindanao with the establishment of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), triggering decades of internal conflict.

On Wednesday, 47 years after the largely forgotten tragedy, a historical marker commemorating their sacrifice was unveiled. 

ESSCom's Battle Is Not Over, Says Commander

LAHAD DATU, April 28 -- Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the battle for security in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) is not over even though security in the zone has now improved.

In this regard, he wanted ESSCom personnel to renew their determination in assisting the government to accomplish its mission to defend the sovereignty and security of the people especially in ESSZone.

Malaysian Army Eastern Field Command Celebrates 1st Anniversary

Sabah and Sarawak (Source: Internet)

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Established one year ago, Eastern Field Command (EFC) which covers Sabah and Sarawak recently marked its first anniversary with a celebration at its headquarters at Muara Tuang Military Complex near here.

The highlight of the celebration was a parade involving 90 officers and 830 rank-and-file personnel from the various units under its charge, which was witnessed by EFC commander Lt Gen Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar.