SANDAKAN, Sept 12 – Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government would continue to defend Sabah’s security from external threats or elements.

He said Sabahans should not worry and should be confident in the operation of the Malaysian Army (TDM) in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the state under the wind.

“We will increase in terms of personnel and will also increase our military assets,

“This includes the establishment of 3 units of the Royal Artillery Regiment in Kalabakan, Lahad Datu and Kudat, an Armor Regiment in Kota Belud, an Army Air Squadron (PUTD) in Sandakan,

“On the west coast of Sabah, under the formation of the 5th Brigade was the establishment of the 27th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment (27 RMR) and 11th Royal Ranger Regiment Battalion (11 RRD).

“Meanwhile, a new brigade, the 32nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Kalabakan as well as support units, and a Border Regiment battalion in Tawau will also be established,” he said.

He was speaking after a visit to the 22nd Battalion Royal Malay Regiment (22 RMR) at the Sri Kinabatangan Camp yesterday.

Ismail said, in total, an Infantry Brigade, 3 Infantry Battalions, an Armor Regiment, 3 Artillery Regiments and a PUTD Squadron will be established to strengthen and defend Sabah from any threat.

He said, the establishment of the units involved an allocation of about RM14 billion and it will be implemented immediately by focusing on the east coast of Sabah.

“Even in terms of training, patrols and so on we will improve from time to time.

“Hopefully, the people of Sabah are especially confident in the army to take care of their safety,” he said.

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SANDAKAN, 12 Sept – Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob berkata, kerjaan akan terus mempertahankan keselamatan negeri Sabah daripada ancaman atau anasir luar.

Beliau berkata, rakyat Sabah tidak perlu bimbang dan harus yakin dengan pengoperasian Tentera Darat Malaysia (TDM) dalam menjaga keselamatan serta kedaulatan negeri di bawah bayu itu.

“Kita akan menambah dari segi keanggotaan dan juga akan menambahkan aset ketenteraan kita,

“Ini termasuk penubuhan 3 unit Rejimen Artileri Diraja di Kalabakan, Lahad Datu dan Kudat, sebuah Rejimen Armor di Kota Belud, sebuah Skuadron Pasukan Udara Tentera Darat (PUTD) di Sandakan,

“Di pantai Barat Sabah pula, di bawah formasi 5 Briged adalah penubuhan Batalion Ke-27 Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (27 RAMD) dan Batalion ke-11 Rejimen Renjer Diraja (11RRD),

“Manakala, sebuah briged baru iaitu Markas 32 Briged Infantri di Kalabakan serta unit-unit sokongan, dan juga sebuah batalion Rejimen Sempadan di Tawau juga akan ditubuhkan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas melawat Batalion ke-22 Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja (22 RAMD) di Kem Sri Kinabatangan, semalam.

Ismail berkata, secara keseluruhannya sebuah Briged Infantri, 3 buah Batalion Infantri,sebuah Rejimen Armor, 3 buah Rejimen Artileri serta satu Skuadron PUTD akan ditubuhkan bagi memperkuat dan mempertahankan Sabah daripada sebarang ancaman.

Katanya, penubuhan pasukan itu membabitkan peruntukan kira-kira RM14 bilion dan ia akan dilaksanakan segera dengan menfokuskan kepada kawasan pantai timur Sabah.

“Malah dari segi latihan, rondaan dan sebagainya kita akan pertingkatkan daripada masa ke semasa.

“Semoga rakyat Sabah terutamanya yakin dengan tentera darat menjaga keselamatan mereka,” katanya.