Construction of 13th Brigade Headquarters in Lahad Datu to begin next year

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin yesterday said the construction of the 13th Brigade Headquarters in Lahad Datu is expected to begin next year.

He said MAF and the Sabah state government were currently in discussion over the location of the permanent camp.

"I cannot mention the cost of building the headquarters because we have to look at the location of the camp and so on. We may be able to finalise it (cost) by the end of this year.

"Usually (the construction of such military bases) will take two years," he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal at the State Government Administration Centre here yesterday.

Meanwhile, commenting on the facilities provided to military personnel stationed on islands, especially in the east coast of Sabah, Zulkifli said based on a recent visit, he felt that the facilities were still sufficient.

However, he said, there were many things that could be improved, not only for the comfort of the personnel but also in terms of the operability of the facilities.

"We realise that improving (a facility) requires a large allocation. So, considering the current state of the country's economy, we must adapt to the situation, as an organisation that understands the importance of 'value for money'," he said.

However, Zulkifli said the current number of personnel in the east coast of Sabah was sufficient to keep the country's perimeters secure.

"I am confident our security is under control. Our personnel are more than ready to carry out their duties," he said.