KUALA LUMPUR – Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang says he is satisfied with the current line-up of Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) assets.
He said this was evidenced by the involvement of the MAF and its assets to perform essential tasks such as patrolling, monitoring, information gathering and other support tasks.
“Assets have been mobilised for assignments such as Operation Benteng (Op Benteng) and Operation Penawar on a non-stop basis, including in terms of providing support flights and the operation of the Field Hospital throughout this COVID-19 pandemic.
“In addition, the asset acquisition plan under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) has been approved by the Ministry of Defence and with the acquisition of these assets, the level of preparedness will be enhanced further, and it will be able to contribute to the success of the ongoing operations,” he said in a special address in conjunction with the new year on MAF’s official Facebook page today.
Dealing with modern threats
In the meantime, Affendi said the establishment of MAF’s Cyber and Electromagnetic Division last year would shore up the capabilities of the country in cyber and electronic warfare.
“This capability will continue to be strengthened so that MAF can deal with any cyber threats, as we are now living in a ‘borderless world’, and on the verge of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) which is highly dependent on operating in the cyber domain,” he said.
Affendi also hopes that the MAF will make rapid technological changes and place IR4.0, announced since 2011, as a benchmark to become a technologically savvy military force.
“At the same time, we should be able to operate all equipment and systems more efficiently, besides being able to produce the necessary programmes or software ourselves without having to rely on external parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Affendi reminded MAF personnel on adhering to the new norms and standard operating procedures (SOP) even though COVID-19 vaccines would be available soon.
“The MAF needs to strengthen and streamline the implementation of Op Benteng to prevent illegal immigrants from encroaching into the country’s borders as there is a risk of the virus (COVID-19) spreading again, which will thwart the government’s efforts to stop this pandemic,” he said.
Temporary detention depots
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) meanwhile, is in the midst of identifying five facilities available for short-term rental to be used as temporary detention depots.
Without revealing the locations, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said they were yet to be finalised and the police were in the midst of negotiating the rental rates.
He said the negotiation process was being led by Bukit Aman Management Department deputy director (administration) Datuk Zaini Jass.
“This will be implemented as soon as possible and the security factor at the facilities will be taken into consideration prior to fully utilising them.
“The security control will be arranged properly including the installation of barbed wire fencing around the area,” he told Bernama today.
Elaborating on staff deployment for the detention depots later, Abdul Hamid said assistance from other police districts, including from the General Operations Force and the Federal Reserve Unit, would be sought if necessary.
Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) camps, Kem Bina Negara and other suitable facilities would be used as temporary detention depots for the Prisons Department, Immigration departments and PDRM on rental basis, to ensure physical distancing is maintained.
This was among the proposals discussed by the Emergency Management Technical Committee and was agreed upon by the National Security Council Emergency Session.