KUALA LUMPUR 10 DIS: The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Royal Police Malaysia (RPM) will take immediate actions and elevate their preparedness at the highest level in Sabah following the news on the alleged plan of the “Royal Sulu Military” to attack Sabah.
Senior Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said, the MAF has informed him that through the implementation of operations and intelligence reports there are no obvious signs or strong proofs like what have been reported in the news.
Hishammuddin added, The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and MAF have attended to the recent news written by “South China Morning Post” on the alleged threats.
“Any form of threats, whether can be trusted or not must be verified independently and treated seriously. Our intelligence and security teams have been informed about the news and are now verifying with the agencies and their counterparts in Philippines and regionally as mentioned by the Inspector General Police (IGP) and Commander ESSCOM yesterday.
“The Defence Intelligence Staff Unit (BSPP) of MAF is consistently monitoring the current development and evaluate the indications that could affect the security,” Hishammuddin said in a statement here today.
According to the Senior Minister, he has affirmed that the three services via- East Land Forces Commander, (TDM) Lt. Gen.Datuk Mardzuki Muhammad, Commander of East Armada (TLDM) Admiral Madya Datuk Sabri Zali; and Air Territory Commander (TUDM) Maj. Gen. Datuk Shamsuddin Kassim will ensure that MAF will increase its preparedness to the highest level in the East Coast of Sabah.
He said, the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) involving the cooperation between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will ensure that the water ways between Sabah and Philippines is always safe.
Hishammuddin also mentioned that his working relationship with the Indonesian Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto and Philippines Defence Secretary, Delfin Lorenzana is strong and they are consistently in communication regarding the issues that are very worrisome especially on security.
“We have agreed to re-implement the TCA Discussion at Ministerial Level and plan to meet on January 2022 to strengthen the cooperation between the three national militaries in Sulu Sea and Sulawesi,” Hishammuddin reiterated. – Malaysia World News
