KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has commended the security forces for their steadfastness, courage and commitment in defending the country’s waters from any threat, describing it as a symbol of immense sacrifice.
The Prime Minister said those stationed in the interiors or rural areas, with challenging terrain and uncertain weather, must have high mental resilience, discipline and strong fighting spirit for them to get through their duties.
He said their sacrifices are the main bulwark that ensures the people of this country continue to live in peace.
“The strength, resilience and preparedness of our armed forces in defending every inch of the nation’s waters is a sacrifice that is rarely seen. They are the ‘fortress’ that ensures our safety and peace,” he said in a Facebook post after visiting Pulau Banggi.
The Prime Minister was briefed on the operations, security, challenges and other issues faced by those stationed on the island.
The visit was aimed at providing a better understanding of the level of preparedness at Malaysia-Philippines borders and to check out the radar operations, which is an important asset for monitoring security in the area.
“Pos Dogoton is among the forward security posts bordering Philippine waters which plays an important role in maintaining the sovereignty and security of the country’s waters in northern Sabah.
“This includes controlling the threat of invasion, smuggling and cross-border criminal activities,” he said.
He expressed his appreciation to the armed forces personnel after visiting the Dogoton military post in Pulau Banggi, Kudat, yesterday.
“Highest appreciation to the MAF team assigned to safeguard the sovereignty of the homeland at Pos Dogoton,” he said.
Anwar was in Sabah with his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail after attending the Asean Summit and related meetings held in Cebu, Philippines.
Speaking at a reception with Pulau Banggi’s local community, the Prime Minister said digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation policies should not only be focused in Kuala Lumpur, main universities or research institutions, as it should also reach people at the grassroots level.
He said the new technology policy must be expanded to every area and district to ensure justice for all citizens, especially the poor and communities in the interior, island and rural areas.
“The government will continue to pay attention to ensure digital development does not widen the gap between urban and rural areas, but rather become a catalyst for the improvement of knowledge, skills and new opportunities for the people.”
Anwar said his visit to Pulau Banggi was also to congratulate the Pulau Banggi National Information Dissemination Center after it was named champion in the capacity building category in the World Summit on the Information Society.
“Although Pulau Banggi is far from the city and faces various infrastructural challenges, they still managed to make Malaysia proud on the international stage.
“This achievement is also one of my reasons for coming here.”
