SANDAKAN: Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman called on the maritime community to give their utmost support to the security forces in an effort to combat cross-border crime instantly and effectively.
With security operations being put into place, Musa said public's cooperation was vital to complement initiatives taken by the government via the Defence Ministry and Armed Forces in ensuring safety of the state waters.
“I always emphasis on the importance of the role of those residing near the sea and on an island to support and work with the security forces so we are able to tackle security threats together swiftly and effectively.
“I also welcome the navy’s initiative in launching the K3M (Awareness, Community, Safety) application to enable maritime community to get help when they are in emergency situation and to report on suspicious activities at sea,” he said.
Musa was delivering his speech at the launch of Naval Region 2 operational base at the Sandakan navy base here, today.
In the event, the chief minister also met with the members of Rakan Komuniti Maritim, which comprised of resort and ferry operators as well as merchant vessel company operators.
Musa said the operational base was essential and critical in ensuring sovereignty remains protected, adding it is in line with the current challenging geopolitical landscape, which is rapidly changing.
“It demands the Armed Forces particularly the navy to implement a more practical and effective approach to look after the country’s territorial waters.
“The difference in geostrategic between the West Coast and East Coast require strategy and new approach that are more organised, systematic and suitable with the situation at both maritime operation areas,” he said.
Musa noted operational duty in the Sabah West Coast waters and Sarawak waters would be carried out by the navy’s eastern fleet command at the Navy Sepanggar base in Kota Kinabalu.
The Naval Region 2 based at the Sandakan navy will oversee operational duty at the east coast waters.
