JOINT FORCE AT HIGHEST LEVEL OF PREPAREDNESS - MINISTER

TAWAU (Malaysia), Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The Joint Force Coordination of the
armed forces is at the highest level of preparedness in safeguarding Malaysian
waters, said Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Comprising the army, the navy and the air force, he said the Joint Force,
which was equipped with an advanced communication system, was capable of
unleashing its might to ward off subversive and smuggling activities.

"We are not only in the state of preparedness to mobilise the armed forces
but are also able to integrate with enforcement agencies like the Malaysian
Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Marine Action Force, and the Customs.

"We are also getting closer with the local community to ensure that we are
well received as well as to enhance its confidence on the armed forces'
capability," he told reporters after visiting the Initiative Radar System 1206
near this town in East Malaysia state of Sabah.

He said one of the nine radar units along the Sabah coastline was already in
operation while three more were expected to be operational next year.

Located at strategic palaces, the radar systems will be able to monitor the
movement of ships plying off Malaysian waters, he added.

Ahmad Zahid, who is on a visit to witness the enforcement operations off the
east coast of Sabah waters, was accompanied by Joint Force commander Lt-Gen
Allatif Mohd Noor and Joint Force commander II Brig-Gen Sheikh Mokhsin Sheikh
Hassan.
-- BERNAMA