Royal navy base to move to Sejingkat

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KUCHING: The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) base located at Jalan Datuk Abang Abdul Rahim, Pending will move to Sejingkat soon.

LOOKING GOOD: Anuwi (second left) conducts an inspection during the assembly. At left is Kuching resident naval officer Lt Mohd Hizar Mohd Nor.

LOOKING GOOD: Anuwi (second left) conducts an inspection during the assembly. At left is Kuching resident naval officer Lt Mohd Hizar Mohd Nor.

Speaking to reporters after an assembly with navy personnel yesterday, Naval Region commander First Admiral Datuk Anuwi Hassan said that plans for the Sejingkat base had been submitted to the government.

“We have our very own 40 acres of land at Sejingkat and it would be developed as a proper navy base, which can accommodate navy ships and more personnel,” said Anuwi who expected the base to be announced under the 10th Malaysian Plan (10MP).

He added that with the setting up of the new base in addition to the current base in Teluk Sepanggar, Sabah, security in East Malaysian waters would be beefed up to fight off threats from intruders such as pirates and illegal immigrants.

“While it may not be as big as our base in Sabah, we will be sure of recruiting more personnel with the setting up of a larger base,” he said.

Currently, the Pending base has around 40 personnel with additional support from 200 reserve volunteers.

On the case of the missing jet fighter engine, Anuwi said such a case would not happen to TLDM.

“We will ensure such cases won’t happen and we also would like to advise everyone in TLDM to be more vigilant in their work,” Anuwi said adding that efforts would be made from   time  to  time to ensure  security  at  its bases were at the highest level.

Anuwi also said that the delivery of KD Tun Abdul Razak, the second submarine for TLDM at its base in Teluk Sepanggar, would strengthen the navy and provide them with better equipment to protect the sovereignty of Malaysian waters.

Mean while,  in  his  speech, Anuwi said the success achieved last year should be used as a means for everyone to improve further this year.

“Despite having no proper navy base here, monitoring work should still be continued as it is our job to ensure our waters are safe from threats, and this is why we will step up with improvements from time to time to ensure better working conditions for everyone,” he said.

Anuwi also thanked reserve volunteer personnel who have assisted the navy in various ways.

“I would like to praise their efforts as they have strengthened the force on a volunteer basis, while having a day job at the same time,” he said, while calling for closer rapport and cooperation between navy personnel and reserves.

“There should not be a double standard in the navy and I want everyone to instil the esprit de corps spirit and everyone to have a sense of belonging within the navy family,” he stressed.

Anuwi also paid a courtesy call yesterday on Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin at the Astana.

This was Anuwi’s first visit to Kuching, since he was appointed five months ago.