THE Trilateral Air Patrol (TAP) between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will be launched at the RMAF Subang airbase in the near future as part of initiatives to enhance air and maritime security surveillance in the region.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the patrols would also keep an eye on militants, including those from the Islamic State from making the Sulu Sea as an illegal route to intrude into Malaysia.

“We cannot face the IS militant threat alone. Hence, we have been cooperating with neighbouring countries and through discussions with our counterparts in Indonesia and the Philippines, we may further expand this cooperation.

“Perhaps we will expand cooperation with Brunei and Singapore and we will also be working with other Asean countries to discuss the best strategies and approaches to combat the Daesh militants,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the ceremony in honour of the ‘Daulat Feb 2013’ battle at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu last night.

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, Deputy Defence Minister Johari Baharom, Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Chief General Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, Malaysian Army Chief General Zulkiple Kassim, Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Abdul Aziz Jaafar and Royal Malaysian Air Force Chief General Affendi Buang.

Prior to this. Malaysia implemented the Trilateral Maritime Patrol (TMP) with Indonesia and the Philippines, which was launched on board the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) navy vessel Suharso-990, at Tarakan Port on June 19 , which was also attended by Hishammuddin and his counterparts, Ryamizard Ryacudu of Indonesia and Delvin N Lorenzana of the Philippines.

Elaborating further, Hishammuddin, who is also Special Functions Minister, said the trilateral air patrols launch at RMAF Subang  would mark a historic milestone for the country as the flag of all three countries would be flown in Malaysia in efforts to counter the threat of militants.

He said various initiatives would also be implemented In Sabah to strengthen security, including deploying the 13th Brigade headquarters in Kolej Integrasi Ilmu, Felda Sahabat, which would be upgraded to a brigade headquarters and the proposed setting up of an infantry battalion in Desa Kencana, Felda Sabahat.

“We will also upgrade two border posts in Sabah at Saliliran and Serudong as joint posts with TNI with three new ones at Kampung Tibau, Timbulan and Kampung Luis.

“The military will also receive six Light Attack Helicopter (LAH) MD530-G aircraft, with two to be acquired this month and the rest in November 2018, to be based in Sandakan,” he added. – Bernama, August 12, 2017.