| SECURITY PATROLS IN MALAYSIAN WATERS TO BE
STEPPED UP LUMUT,
April 27 (Bernama) -- Security patrols in Malaysian waters will be stepped up with the
focus on areas frequented by people such as Pulau Sipadan, Defence Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Tun Razak said Thursday.
"We will strengthen our presence particularly in areas frequented by visitors such as
the Sabah coast," he told reporters after attending a ceremony at which the Yang
di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah conferred new colours on the Navy and
KD Malaya here.
He said patrol boats would be permanently deployed around Pulau Sipadan and there would
also be increased number of security personnel on the island.
"The military will focus on Pulau Sipadan so that there will not be a repeat of the
recent problem," he said when referring to the abduction of 21 people including 10
Malaysians from the island by armed gunmen on Sunday.
Najib said increased attention would also be given to other areas such as Layang-layang
which also attracted tourists.
On whether the Pulau Sipadan incident would call for an increase in the allocation for
defence, Najib said it depended on the country's means.
"Incidents such as that on Pulau Sipadan will at least create an awareness among the
people and others that we cannot reduce expenditure on security," he said.
Najib however declined to go into details on the measures that would be taken to enhance
defence of the country's territorial waters particularly the development of the Royal
Malaysian Navy (RMN) Commando Force.
"We need not go into details.....the important thing is we are able to guarantee that
Pulau Sipadan is safe and we will ensure that our defence is stepped up to enable us to
face any eventuality," he said.
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