LAHAD DATU: Army personnel will be evenly deployed across Peninsular Malaysia and the Bornean states under a nationwide restructuring plan, which Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic) said has a five-year target to achieve a 50:50 troop ratio.
“Sabah alone currently has about 20,000 troops out of the country’s total 130,000 army personnel, and efforts are underway to progressively raise the numbers in East Malaysia.
“This is part of our long-term restructuring plan to ensure that personnel and assets are evenly distributed across the country. We are moving towards a 50:50 ratio between Sabah-Sarawak and the peninsula within five years,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled added that the move reflects the government’s emphasis on ensuring readiness and sovereignty in Sabah, describing the state as a key frontier for national defence.
He said the ministry would strengthen the region’s military capability through several major upgrades – including relocating a cavalry regiment from the peninsula to Sabah, increasing the number of battalions in each of the state’s two brigades from three to four, and establishing a 155mm artillery regiment to replace the current 105mm setup.
In addition, the ministry will install four new coastal radar systems along Sabah’s east coast, particularly within the Ops Pasir sectors that cover Lahad Datu, Kudat, Sandakan and Semporna.
He said the static Tun Sharifah Rodziah sea base will also be replaced by a mobile base capable of operating across Sabah’s maritime zone once its current usage period expires next year.
“We are also enhancing our technological capabilities through the deployment of drones and AI applications to improve surveillance and support troops operating across the vast Ops Pasir areas,” he added.
Mohamed Khaled said the ministry would continue to prioritise the safety, sovereignty, and stability of Sabah through long-term planning, new equipment acquisitions, and improved logistics.
“The presence of our forces here is crucial, not only for national security but also for maintaining stability that supports Sabah’s economy, including its tourism industry,” he said.
He also said that with the upcoming state election, it is vital for the armed forces to maintain a high level of readiness to ensure the democratic process proceeds smoothly and without disruption.
