SHAH ALAM: Border security redux. The security services are deploying more men and equipment to border areas as the Covid 19 pandemic threatens to unleash a new wave of refugees to the country. The Armed Forces said it was ready to beef up its forces in the border areas as directed by the government.
The Malaysian Armed Forces said it is ready to beef up border enforcement to prevent a potential Covid-19 outbreak from illegal immigrants entering the country.
In a statement on Friday (April 10), the Armed Forces said its chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang stressed that the MAF was always ready to strengthen enforcement across the borders.
“Following new instructions based on the Prime Minister’s special speech, the MAF will increase control and surveillance, land, sea and air, so that it is at a high level.
“The Armed Forces will take several matters into consideration in creating a strategic plan to defend the country which will include any situation, especially when the nation is facing the spread of Covid-19,” it said.
It said illegal immigrants entering the country via illegal means could impact the Covid-19 spread.
The statement said despite its role in the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO), other operations were being carried as usual.
It is also said stronger enforcement operations at the borders would not disrupt its manpower.
RMN, based on their social media, is also preparing its ships for patrol along the maritime borders. Apart from the military, both police and MMEA have also announced that they will be beefing up operations to prevent illegal immigrants.
MMEA has stationed an AW139 helicopter to bolster its fleet of patrol boats in Langkawi to detect boats carrying Rohingya illegal immigrants to the island. Last week, a boat carrying some 200 Rohingyas beached itself on the island after its crew jumped ship likely to avoid arrests.It must be said if indeed the pandemic went out of control in neighbouring countries and unleashed waves of refugees, the crisis will be totally unimaginable.
— Malaysian Defence
View Comments (73)
I see 2 likely scenarios playing out. 1) the pandemic in S. Asia contained 2) the pandemic getting worse with more trying to leave S. Asia! That will test Malaysia's resolve
If gomen doesnt hv enuff money to add more Cougars for the air forces, just get cheaper and common ones like the AW139 for all the branches.
En Marhalim, any insight on how the Rohinyas boat ikan get to land at Langkawi, without being intercepted
Reply
No idea
Zulkhairi,
There is a very long sea boundary and coastline. Even if the MMEA has 3-4 times the number of sea and air assets it actually has; ensuring that each and every intrusion is detected and prevented cannot be guaranteed.
Note that even European countries with much more resources than us (including ground based sensors) fail to stop each and every boatload of refugees from reaching their shores.
AW139 (even AW149 for that matter) is too small for nuri replacement. Prolly better for Navy's MUH programme.
Government should also consider adding more helicopters for Bomba. By the looks of it, they're the one that should lead the task of peacetime disaster response (medevac, mercy flight, cargo transport evac) instead of the air force.
Reply
Not Bomba as their role is mostly for fire and rescue. Buying more helicopters for them will burned their budget for their main role
We shall buy Brunei 8 old Blackhawks for the Army and Navy MUH. We really do urgently need it for patrol and emergency response ie send food and supplies to the interior.
@ Mohd Hazwan
Brunei only has 4 "old" blackhawks that we actually declined when it was actually given out nearly for free.
There was 2 more brunei VIP blackhawks not under TUDB but already sold to USA and now converted into firefighting helicopters.
In terms of heli the MHS H225, IMHO would be the best option, subject to pricing off course
Alex,
No doubt BOMBA needs additional helicopters to perform various types of roles but when it comes to disaster relief or other emergency type situations; it should be a joint effort comprising various agencies, under a unified command. In the past BOMBA air assets have performed mercy flights and disaster relief.
Hazwan,
It will take months at minimum to certify crews to operate and maintain S-70s. Yes we have crews that are certified but they’re merely a handful.
During this MCO I have been evaluating how the Malaysian future budget will be reemphasise. Based on current practice, education has always been given the priority, followed by health care, rural development. I do sense this may change with health care and social security will be given more emphasise. As such how would that impact spending on defense and internal security. With lower oil price, cpo and drop in E&E export, the tax collection can be lower for the next foreseeable future will drop by at least 15% and our borrowing is current capped at 55% gdo, it can be increased. Say assuming priority to social security a nd health are, how would future security and defense need would be met with at least 15% cut in the budget?