| Soldiers to remain on Sabah's islands, says Shafie
PORT DICKSON, Nov
17 (Bernama) -- The Defence Ministry will continue deploying army troops on islands off
Sabah to ensure no intrusion from foreign elements, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Mohd
Shafie Apdal.
He said so far the deployment went smoothly and had benefitted local residents to the
extent that they had asked for the soldiers to be permanently stationed there.
"This is so as the presence of the soldiers has given them (residents)
security," he told reporters after the passing out parade by recruits at the Army
Basic Training Centre here.
Army Chief Jen Datuk Seri Md Hashim Hussein and senior military officers were among those
present.
Mohd Shafie said before the arrival of the soldiers, the islanders were in constant fear
as they were frequently harrassed by pirates and Filipino illegal immigrants.
The Defence Ministry decided to station the army on the islands after several hostage
taking incidents occurred on islands off Semporna this year.
Mohd Shafie said so far the ministry had no plans to withdraw the troops from the islands
but was regularly monitoring the situation.
"Even though troop deployment on islands off Sabah depends on the situation but what
is more important to us is to ensure the nation's waters to be free from intrusion,"
he said.
Earlier in his speech, Mohd Shafie reminded the recruits who completed their training to
strive towards being disciplined and professional soldiers.
A total of 1,285 army recruits completed their training today.
The best recruits were Masnawi Buang @ Mohamed (overall and drill), Mohd Yusri Jaafar @
Mohamad (academics), Silvester Anthony (shooter) and Muhamad Latiff (physical fitness).
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