Sabah Radars, Finally…

KUALA LUMPUR: After all the confusion in the last two weeks concerning the Sabah radars, the Bernama story below finally answered the questions, one which was not even answered after a media tour of the Armed Forces operations of Ops Pasir cum visit by the Defence Minister and the services chief.

So now its confirm the radars are actually donated by the US (Malaysian Defence.)

I have to wonder why it took so long for the real story to come out. Was it our persistence or just dumb luck? I would hazard to guess its the combination of both. With the addition of these free radars, the recent decision to purchase the CL-415 multi-purpose amphibians for the MMEA remained more and more dubious.

“Ops Pasir” Receives Positive Feedback From US Navy

TAWAU, Aug 26 (Bernama) –– The security surveillance, code-named “Ops Pasir”, mounted by the Malaysian armed forces along the waters in the east coast of Sabah has received a positive feedback from the United States navy.

Malaysian Armed Forces’ Joint Force Headquarters’ Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Datuk Jamil Osman, said following the feedback, the US government had agreed to contribute several units of coastal surveillance radar to be installed along the state’s east coast under a project known as the Project 1206.

“This (Ops Pasir) model is seen as an effective operational model by the US Navy,” he told reporters at the Joint Force Headquarters 2 in Kem Kukusan here.

He was here to accompany US Navy’s Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Robert F. Willlard who visited the camp Tuesday.

Jamil said four units of the radar would be installed in the first phase of the project next month while the second phase would involve five units.

Jamil said the radar would enable a more effective monitoring of illegal immigrants’ movement and any potential threat in the country’s waters.

He said the Ops Pasir, which was launched in 2000 following the hostage-taking incidents in Sipadan and Pandanan islands, had restored confidence among tourists, including from the US, to come to the resort islands.

The integrated operation involves the Malaysian army, navy and air force as well as other related agencies such as the police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

Jamil also said that the Malaysian security forces was prepared to face any eventualities including thwarting the influx of illegal immigrants due to the uncertainties in the southern Philippines.

— BERNAMA

–Malaysian Defence