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.

Malaysia’s last line of defence - History of the Unit Tindakhas (UTK)

ON Jan 1, 1975, some 100 men from the police force were grouped to form the elite Special Action Unit (Unit Tindakan Khas, or UTK, in Malay).

They were the best of the best – the strongest, toughest and bravest – specially hand-picked to carry out covert operations, take part in dangerous missions, and tackle any hostile situation.

The brainchild of then Inspector-General of Police Tun Hanif Omar, the UTK was formed to equip the Royal Malaysian Police with an elite squad should Malaysia fall victim to terror attacks.

Amid maritime disputes, China confirms building second carrier

BEIJING (Dec 31): After months of speculation, China confirmed on Thursday that it is building a second aircraft carrier to go with an existing one bought second-hand, as neighbours worry about Beijing's new assertiveness to claims in the South China Sea.

Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said the carrier had been designed in China and was being built in the port of Dalian. Foreign military analysts and Chinese media have for months published satellite images, photographs and news stories purporting to show the second carrier's development.

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.

Beijing sends three new ships to S. China Sea

BEIJING - China has deployed three new ships to naval forces stationed in the South China Sea over the weekend, suggesting an enhanced capability for maritime support in the disputed waters, the media reported yesterday.

This came amid speculation that China has started mass production of its first stealth fighter, the J-20.

The three ships - transport and supply ship Luguhu, electronic reconnaissance ship Haiwangxing and pelagic survey ship Qianxuesen - began servicing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy stationed in the Spratly Islands last Friday, according to Navy Today, the PLA Navy's official magazine.

In command of our seas - Talking with New Royal Malaysian Navy Chief

THE world is changing fast, and so are the security challenges and issues facing our Royal Malaysian Navy.

The new chief of the RMN, however, is taking everything in his stride.

“The Navy must adapt. The security threats are redefining the way we manage modern armies,” Admiral Datuk Seri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin tells The Star at his office in Wisma Pertahanan.

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.

Malaysia to join US, Thailand and South Korea in military exercise

December 22, 2015 - Malaysia will join the United States, Thailand and South Korea in the Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise (Calfex), in conjunction with the Cobra Gold military training exercise next year. Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said currently, about 30 countries were participating in the Cobra Gold, which was first held in 1982, but only the three countries had joined Calfex. 

Malaysia's Participation In Alliance 34 Only To Share Information - MAF Chief

PORT DICKSON, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's participation in the alliance of 34 Islamic countries headed by Saudi Arabia to combat militant activities and violence is only to share information and does not involve military operation.

Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said Malaysia's participation in the alliance was in line with the nation's policy to fight any form of violence.

"It is just an alliance of 34 countries to combat violence, it does not involve military alliance, it is not a military pact, just a loose alliance.

Malaysian Armed Forces and Japan to collaborate in HADR operations

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Japan will work collaboratively to share information and expertise in managing humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) operations.

Armed Forces chief Gen Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the cooperation and information sharing efforts would be through training programmes to be conducted for ATM members at the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre (MPC) in Port Dickson beginning next year.