Ministry mulls army camp at Thai border
RANTAU PANJANG: The Defence Ministry is considering a proposal to set up a military camp along the Kelantan-Thai border here.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, said he would ask Army chief General Datuk Seri Zulkiple Kassim to study the proposal to set up the camp here.
“If the proposal is approved, the Defence Ministry will use the camp to house some 1,700 soldiers from the Border Regiment.
“The ministry will consider the request by Rantau Panjang Umno division head Datuk Abdullah Mat Yasim, who said this will strengthen border safety.
“If everything goes well, the soldiers will remain there (at the Kelantan-Thai border),” said Hishammuddin, who is also special functions minister, at the opening of Rantau Panjang Umno delegates meeting at Kolej Kemahiran Mara here yesterday.
Present were Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Abdullah.
Hishammuddin said he hoped all Umno three wings — Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri — would commit to the party and prepare for the 14th General Election.
“I am pleased with the spirit shown by Rantau Panjang delegates here today.
“If this remains until GE14, it is impossible for Umno to lose. I am confident that Barisan Nasional will grab one parliamentary seat here in the general election.”
He said Umno had survived many tests in the past despite allegations hurled at its leaders.
“Umno has faced a lot of tests, including attempts by former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to overthrow Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“(However), this has not hampered the spirit of its members.”
He said many Umno members were willing to sacrifice for Umno and put the party’s interest above everything else.
“We can see that here in Rantau Panjang. Abdullah, as the division chief, must ensure that fractional politics, or ‘cah keting’, is not practised here as the party prepares for the election.”