KUDAT: The Defence Ministry is strengthening military assets and surveillance capabilities in northern Sabah as part of long-term plans to safeguard the State, including in response to regional security developments.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said concerns over military development in the Philippines, supported by the United States, on Balabac Island in southern Palawan near northern Sabah were being taken into account by the Ministry together with the National Security Council.
He said Malaysia’s plans included strengthening naval, air and land capabilities through new assets, including Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), Littoral Mission Ships (LMS), radar systems and drones, with some already deployed and others undergoing procurement.
“These are among the matters we prioritise because we want Sabah and the islands around northern Sabah, which encompass the economic and tourism sectors, to remain safe,” he told reporters during a working visit to the Op Pasir Northern Sector at Kem Sri Kudat here Friday.
Adly said northern Sabah remained safe for economic, tourism and other activities but stressed that security could not be taken for granted, with the Armed Forces maintaining readiness to respond to changing security dynamics while infrastructure and defence capabilities are progressively strengthened under national defence plans and the 13th Malaysia Plan.
