KUCHING: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) should continue strengthening its preparedness, defence capabilities and use of modern technology to address increasingly complex and dynamic security challenges, says Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said this is particularly important given Sarawak’s strategic geographical position, including its extensive land border with Kalimantan, Indonesia, and strategically important waters.
Wan Junaidi said continuous cooperation between the ATM, security agencies and relevant authorities was necessary to safeguard the State’s security and sovereignty.
He said this during a nearly hour-long meeting with newly appointed Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Datuk Seri Malek Razak Sulaiman, who paid a courtesy call on him at Astana Negeri Sarawak here on Tuesday (Sept 22).
The courtesy call also served as an introductory session for Malek Razak in his new capacity, besides providing an opportunity to exchange views on security, defence and matters of strategic importance to Sarawak.
Wan Junaidi stressed the need to further strengthen border security controls, particularly in addressing more than 80 illegal routes, or “rat trails”, that could potentially be used for unlawful cross-border activities.
He said monitoring, enforcement and inter-agency coordination should continue to be strengthened to ensure the security and sovereignty of Sarawak’s borders remained protected.
On maritime security, Wan Junaidi called for continued attention to the security of Sarawak’s waters, particularly in Bintulu Division.
He suggested that the proposal to establish a naval base in the area be given strategic consideration, given Bintulu’s position as one of Sarawak’s major economic growth centres with significant interests in the industrial, energy and trade sectors.
Wan Junaidi also highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation in disaster management, particularly in addressing the transboundary haze currently affecting the region.
He said ASEAN countries should enhance preparedness, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and implement early preventive measures before the haze situation worsened.
He also expressed concern over forest fires in Indonesia that could potentially affect Sarawak, including the risk of fires spreading into the state’s forests if not effectively controlled.
In this regard, he stressed the importance of cross-border cooperation, information sharing and preparedness among relevant agencies to ensure preventive and disaster-management measures could be carried out in a more coordinated manner.
Wan Junaidi said national security and stability are important foundations for economic development, prosperity and harmony among the country’s multiracial and multireligious population.
On human capital development, he stressed the importance of producing military personnel who possessed not only high levels of competence and discipline but also expertise in technology and defence innovation.
He said such expertise is important to enable the country to develop its own defence assets and technologies in the future, thereby reducing dependence on foreign expertise and technology.
Also present were Wan Junaidi’s wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi; First Division Commander Major General Sobirin Yusof; and his wife, Noor Hamiza Suhami.
