Tuai Rumah Richard Engking presents a memento to Stephen (fourth right).
KAPIT: The Armed Forces is looking into expanding the Territorial Army, disclosed Commander of First Malaysian Infantry Division Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw. Hence, it needs more people to sign up as volunteers to defend the country’s peace and stability, he said.
“We’re also looking into more inter-government agencies operations like the former Rascom model whereby the army, various government agencies and the local community work together to look after the country’s peace and security,” he added.
Besides safeguarding the country’s peace and sovereignty, he said the army was also involved in development projects as part of nation building.
“This year, the army is involved in a lot of ‘Jiwa Murni’ projects like building rural roads, longhouse repairs, bridge repairs and building homes for army veterans and the poor,” he pointed out. Stephen was speaking at the ‘Army Meets Longhouse Folks’ event at Rumah Richard Engking, KM5 Jalan Selirik here on Saturday.
He was very happy to note the excellent cooperation of government agencies like the District Office, Police, Welfare Department and Fire and Rescue Department with the army to assist flood victims from the longhouse. At the same time, he announced that the army had adopted Rumah Richard Engking under the ‘Jiwa Murni’ programme.
Stephen and his entourage that included Commander of 9th Brigade Infantry in Sibu, Brigadier General Abdul Rahim Sebeli, had lunch at the residence of the chairman of Kapit Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce and managing director of Untang Jaya Sdn Bhd, Bangsa Untang and later visited the Gelanggang Terasang. From Kapit, they continued their journey to Miri.