By Rebecca Chong
More practical approach required to keep country’s waters safe – CM
SANDAKAN: Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman said the Markas Wilayah Laut 2 (MAWILLA 2) operation is important and critical in safeguarding the sovereignty of the country, especially in the east coast of Sabah.
He said that the operation was also in line with the current geopolitical landscape that changes from time to time and becoming more challenging, hence requiring the Malaysian Armed Forces, especially the Malaysian Royal Navy (TLDM) to have more practical and effective approach to keep the waters of the country safe.
Musa said that the geo-strategic difference between east coast and west coast of Sabah needed a new, more organised and strategic approach suitable with the condition in both maritime operation centres.
“I believe that the MAWILLA 2 operation would be able to raise efficiency in TLDM’s operation management,” he said during a press conference held after launching MAWILLA1 in Sandakan TLDM port here yesterday.
Also present were Royal Malaysian Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin, Eastern Fleet commander Admiral Madya Datuk Pahlawan Syed Zahiruddin Putra Syed Osman; Wilayah Laut 2 commander Admiral Muda Datuk Abdul Rahman Ayob and Sabah State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
At the event, Musa met with members of Rakan Kominitu Maritim (Rakam) comprising fishermen, resort and ferry operators as well as commercial ship operators.
“I welcome the initiative of TLDM in initiating the K3M Application (Awareness, Safety within Maritime Community) to make it easier for Rakam members to ask for help in case of emergency and report suspicious criminal activities in the waters of the country.
“All efforts and initiative of the government, especially through the Defense Ministry and Malaysian Armed Forces clearly proved the commitment of the government in ensuring that the country and our rakyat are safe.
“I have always emphasized the importance of the community’s roles especially those who are living near the waters and islands; they must give full support and cooperation to the security forces. This is important so that we could handle any security threat fast and effectively,” Musa said.
The TLDM headquarters was divided into Markas Pemerintahan Armada Barat in Lumut, Perak and Markas Pemerintahan Armada Timur in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah after restructuring early this year.
In line with this development, Kawasan Tanggungjawab (KTJ) MAWILLA 2 was tasked with keeping the safety of Sabah’s East Coast. Hence, the change of MAWILLA 2 operation from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan since August 30, this year was a strategic move to ensure that the operation could be done more effectively and efficiently.