SEMPORNA: The Tun Sharifah Rodziah Sea Base, located in waters off Semporna, has been officially decommissioned after more than 10 years of service.
The base, which had been operating since July 31, 2015, was a forward operating base safeguarding security and sovereignty in the country's waters off eastern Sabah.
The Navy's Region 2 headquarters said in a statement on Thursday (June 11) that the full ceremonial decommissioning was officiated by Eastern Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Datuk Khir Junaidi Idris as a symbolic end to the base's service.
It said the base served as a strategic platform supporting maritime security operations, monitoring areas of maritime interest and strengthening the presence of security forces in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESS Zone).
It said the base's strategic location enabled rapid responses to security threats and symbolised the Navy's continued commitment to defending national sovereignty.
It added that any role the base had would be assumed by Auxiliary Vessel Tun Azizan to ensure the continuity of the Navy's operational presence and readiness in eastern Sabah.
Originally a mobile offshore production unit known as Hercules 259, the platform was transformed into a forward sea base focused on security through a strategic collaboration involving the Navy, Petronas and Sapura Kencana. – Bernama
