SARAWAK is set to undergo a major defence boost in land, air and sea as it prepares to face new challenges following the rapid development in the neighbouring Indonesian province of Kalimantan - where the new Indonesian capital Nusantara is fast taking shape.
Putrajaya has set aside an additional RM 500 million for the Defence Ministry to upgrade and beef up its manpower and defence capabilities in Sarawak.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid Nordin said his ministry has informed the Sarawak government of these latest military upgrades and their new assets development agenda for this state.
"We have already set aside RM500 mil for the purpose and the money will be used to upgrade manpower and beef up existing infrastructure assets and defence facilities in the army, air force and navy throughout Sarawak.
"The defence and stability of Sarawak is very important given the latest developments.
"We in my ministry will form a joint committee with the Sarawak government to oversee these military upgrades," he said during a working visit to Kuching.
Khalid said the number of defence personnel will also be increased considerably throughout Sarawak in line with current and upcoming needs.
Sarawak has a mountainous border with Kalimantan measuring more than a thousand kilometres from the Bakelalan-Bario highlands in northernmost Sarawak to the tip of Sematan in the southernmost edge of this state.
Nusantara, located about 400 km across the border from Kuching, is seeing rapid infrastructure, social, commercial and industrial developments as the new Indonesian capital takes shape. - The Vibes, August 10, 2024
