THE four Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) littoral mission ships (LMS) deployed at the Eastern Fleet Command headquarters in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, will strengthen security in national waters, said Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said the ships will help thwart threats, monitor areas of ​​operations, patrol the Exclusive Economic Zone and support military operations, as well as act as a support platform in peacetime, conflicts and war.

“The RMN will make the best use of (LMS capabilities) to further strengthen the level of security in Sabah waters, including increased patrols to tackle cross-border crime,” he said at a press conference in Kota Kinabalu today.

Three LMS – KD Keris, commissioned on January 6, 2020; KD Sundang (March 5, 2021) and KD Badik (October 22, 2021) – are under the command of the 11th LMS Squadron at the Kota Kinabalu RMN base.

The fourth ship, Rencong, arrived at the base on December 28 and will join the squadron when it receives its commissioning, which has been scheduled for January 28, after which the vessel will be known as KD Rencong.

The Defence Ministry and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd signed the procurement contract for the four vessels on March 23, 2017, in collaboration with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co Ltd.

Hishammuddin said the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will continue to work closely with the state government and relevant agencies via Op Murni Sabah to ensure disaster preparedness remains at the highest level.

“MAF personnel have been deployed to not only help evacuate flood victims, but also send necessities and prepare food at evacuation centres since the first day of floods in Sabah.”

Chief Minister Hajiji Mohd Noor said Eastern Sabah Security Zone security assets should be upgraded to ensure the highest level of security in the region.

More border security posts must be built, especially at the Sabah-Kalimantan border in preparation for the relocation of the Indonesian capital from Jakarta to Kalimantan, he added. – Bernama, January 13, 2022.