MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES TOLD TO BE VIGILANT OVER REGIONAL THREATS

TAWAU (Malaysia), Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Members of the armed forces have been
urged to be vigilant and not to become oblivious to the situation around them
due to relative calm in the waters off eastern Sabah, said armed forces chief
Gen Azizan Ariffin.

"We must be on guard due to uncertainties in the strategic landscape and
security threats in the region.

"Irresponsible elements are waiting for the right moment to capitalise on
our laxity and weaknesses," he said at the opening of the new Joint Force Region
2 (Forward Operation Base) complex at the Kukusan Camp near here Monday.

He said the state of preparedness in the "Ops Pasir" (an operation to curb
crimes and encroachment of Malaysian waters) should always remain high in an
effort to safeguard the nation.

"Members of the joint force must maintain a high level of discipline and
conduct to ensure that the armed forces is held in high regard by the local
community, government agencies and tourists," he said, adding that poor
discipline would tarnish the image of the armed forces.


On the new Joint Force 2 complex, he said as the central command and control
of the regional operation, it was equipped with an integrated communication
system known as “MASURI” and a radar system encompassing integrated maritime
surveillance and centric systems.

He said the sophisticated equipments would facilitate the operation in terms
of administration, control, communication and relaying information.

Speaking to reporters later, Azizan said the security situation in the
waters of Sabah was under control since the launch of "Ops Pasir" after the
Sipadan hostage crisis over nine years ago.

He said under "Ops Pasir", members of the armed forces were deployed on 21
islands and five locations along the coast.

-- BERNAMA