31st Border Brigade to give priority to Sarawakian recruits

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Hishammuddin

Hishammuddin

KUCHING: Sarawakians will be given priority to serve in the 31st Border Brigade under the command of the First Infantry Division.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said this was because they had local knowledge of the situation and surroundings, which would be an advantage for the brigade that would be looking after border security.

“Since the formation of the brigade in the beginning of the year, about 40 per cent of the personnel needed has been recruited, and priority was given to Sarawakians. Efforts are being made to recruit qualified personnel to fill another 1,000 vacancies,” he told a press conference at the Airforce Base here yesterday.

Hishammuddin said 499 Sarawakians were among recruits undergoing six months of training at the Junaco Park National Service Training Camp in Sibu. The stint is scheduled to be completed at the end of the year.

“Bintulu has been chosen to become the base to enable them to carry out the secondary task of monitor ing important targets like the Bakun, Murum and Baleh dams,” he explained.

He said the ministry aimed to build five additional joint posts (POSGAB) and 18 army posts along the Sarawak, Sabah and Kalimantan, Indonesia, border.

“Currently, there are eight POSGABs, which are insufficient for effective monitoring.

“Eighteen strategic locations along the borders, comprising 15 in Sarawak and three in Sabah, have been identified for the building of new posts,” he said.

On the welfare of armed forces personnel in the state, Hishammuddin said 154 houses had been built at Pakit Camp in Sri Aman and 66 units renovated at a cost of RM88.9 million.

He said 139 units were also being built at Sri Miri Camp at a cost of RM55 million, and the project was expected to be completed next month. Another 114 units for the RM39 million phase II were under construction.

He added that a RM35 million health clinic would also be built at Penrissen Army camp, with construction expected to start in January.

On his courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Hishammuddin said they discussed matters pertaining to defence and security in Sarawak, the welfare of veterans, and the proposed navy base in Bintulu.