KUALA LUMPUR 27 May – The Ministry of Defence has directed the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) to elevate its safety control at borders all over the country following militants attack in three neighboring countries recently.
Minister of Defence and Minister with Special Functions, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said many people have been killed in the bomb blast incidents that occurred within a week which started in Bangkok, Jakarta, and Mindanao.
Following the incidents, Hishammuddin said he has contacted the Minister of Defence of the three countries affected namely, Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana -Philippines, Prawit Wangsuwon –Thailand and Ryamizard Ryacudu – Indonesia, for the latest updates of the incidents.
“I would like to inform that Malaysia, through Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) has close cooperation with the defence forces of the three countries to strengthen the safety controls in their countries including sharing of intelligence information,” he said in a statement today.
In Bangkok, a bomb was blasted in a hospital which had caused 24 people injured while in another incident in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, three policemen were killed also in a bomb blast. Meanwhile, in a battle between the militant group and Philippines military in Marawi City, Mindanao, 21 people were killed.
In the statement, Hishammuddin also said, to elevate the control and strengthening the safety of Sabah, ATM will implement the additional scheduled movement of assets. The initiative includes an additional of two patrol vessels which will be moved today for stricter controls over the Sabah waters, the placement of Quick Reaction Force (QRF) team together with troops that operate in the islands around Sabah waters, and additional patrols of combat boats in areas which have been identified as the entry route from South Philippines.
Hishammuddin also mentioned ATM will also implement an additional of 1 Infantry Company of the Malaysian Army in Cenderawasih area, Lahad Datu. The implementation of the additional troop is aimed at ensuring the coastal areas of Lahad Datu are fully protected.
These initiatives are the latest approach implemented by ATM to enhance the earlier initiatives in strengthening the safety of Sabah.
“I have discussed these matters with the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Following that, the Deputy Prime Minister has directed ATM to cooperate closely with safety agencies in the country to ensure the sovereignty and safety of Sabah are safeguarded.
“I have mentioned several times that the world safety landscape is becoming more challenging and changes very fast. Several attack incidents and bomb blasts that occurred all over the world recently (not only in this region) for example in Egypt, Manchester, Paris, Stockholm, Iraq and Afghanistan prove that the terrorists’ threats were real.
“We will never give in to any party or group that tries to disturb the safety and sovereignty of our country. Our allies in the whole world will cooperate closely to address these threats and this has been achieved on my working visit to Saudi Arabia recently,” he said.
–Malaysia World News.
