Labuan RMAF base on high alert due to clashes
SUBANG JAYA: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Labuan has been put on the highest level of preparedness in light of the fighting between the Philippine armed forces and militants in Marawi on Mindanao island.
RMAF chief General Datuk Seri Affendi Buang said the air force had intensified its security measures since the conflict began, including sending detachments of Sukhoi SU-30MKM Flankers and Boeing F/A-18D Hornets to Labuan.
This, he said, was to prepare for any security threat to Sabah, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
“Esszone has been our focus since the Lahad Datu incursion and other security incidents. RMAF is taking precautions, and is always on alert in any situation or change of geopolitical landscape in the region, to safeguard the nation’s security and sovereignty.
“We must ensure that the country’s airspace is safe from internal and external threats. RMAF remains vigilant,” Affendi said at the airbase here yesterday.
He said the air force had established Labuan as the lead base in Sabah, with Hawk jet fighters permanently based there since 2014. Those jets, he said, were ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
Earlier, he presented loyal service medals to 13 officers and personnel in conjunction with RMAF’s 59th anniversary. He also launched the anniversary’s logo and theme “Kuasa udara, tonggak kedaulatan negara”.
The Philippine armed forces is battling rebels of the Islamic State-linked Maute group in Marawi after President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao.
Three Malaysians were among 13 militants killed in clashes. It has been reported that at least 100 people, including 61 Maute fighters, had died in the fighting.