All development plans to enhance Sabah’s defence must start immediately, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
“This is the directive given to us by the Federal Government to ensure that, when the new year arrives, projects can proceed smoothly without delays,” he added.
Among the planned upgrades is the Lok Kawi Army Camp in Putatan, which will receive new healthcare facilities, including a clinic and dental services within its compound.
This is part of an allocation of RM234mil for ongoing projects and RM37.6mil set aside for new initiatives aimed at upgrading army facilities in Sabah.
Apart from Lok Kawi, funds will also support the development of an army camp at Felda Sahabat in Lahad Datu and the construction of the 5th Brigade Camp and 19th Royal Malay Regiment Camp in Kota Belud.
“Additionally, new border posts will be established in Serudong (Tawau) and Bantul (Pensiangan),” he said.
He said the government’s commitment to strengthening Sabah's defence capabilities, focusing on operations, monitoring, and control efforts to address both traditional threats and issues like smuggling and illegal immigration.
Mohamed Khaled, who is on a two-day working visit to Sabah, spoke to the media after launching the Defence Ministry's Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) at the Balai Cerap Al-Biruni in Putatan on Sunday (Nov 10).
On Saturday (Nov 9), he received a briefing on the Royal Malaysian Navy’s roles and responsibilities in Sabah, which include safeguarding not only the South China Sea but also the Sulu and Sulawesi seas.
“I am pleased with the assets and ongoing operations and have also been briefed on the challenges they face in fulfilling their duties,” he said.
In another update, he mentioned that six injured members of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) in Lebanon, including five from the new contingent and one from the existing team, have been safely stationed.
“We will continue to prioritise the safety of our personnel stationed in Lebanon, within our designated areas,” he said.
The Malbatt team is stationed at a location some distance from the Lebanese border, buffered by other forces from various countries.
“Our troops remain in a comparatively safe location,” he added.
He also noted that the rotation process for the second Malbatt team is underway as part of their seven-month cycle operation in Lebanon.
