TAWAU: The Malaysian Armed Forces is gearing up for its 87th anniversary celebration themed “Tentera Darat Bersama Rakyat Sedia Sebilang Masa” (army with people ready all the time) in Tawau, this year, due to strategic location, among others.
Chief of Staff General Dato’ Seri Panglima Ahmad Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi said Tawau is the best starting point for the convoy battle group after screening process. It was significant in the Eastern Brigade (5 Brigade) which had been set up in Tawau after a raid on a temporary army post in Kalabakan in December 1963 which resulted in the deaths of seven soldiers.
The incident was due to then Indonesian President Sukarno’s Konfontasi over the formation of Malaysia. However, the Eastern Brigade moved to Kota Kinabalu on March 1, 2013 for the sake of strengthening security in Sabah.
“We get great cooperation from the local council and some volunteers in the military to mark this celebration in a creative way. We celebrate our anniversary on March 1, every year, but to me, every day is the day of armies.
“We have been gone through a lot since the Second World War until the Lahad Datu intrusion. Therefore, the Malaysian army is the machinery of the people who play a vital role in defending the country for the stability, security and harmony of the nation,” he explained.
He said national security is everyone’s concern instead of relying on the enforcement agencies or authorities.
Touching on Indonesia’s capital which would be moved to East Kalimantan, Hasbullah said it should be viewed positively because it involves economics. But of course, there is a safety element in it.
The Malaysian Army can only give their views on safety aspect to the government and it is up to the government to evaluate the situation.
The convoy battle group will move from Tawau-Semporna (January 21-23)-Lahad Datu (January 26-28)-Sandakan (January 31-February 2)-Kudat (February 7-9)-Kota Belud (February 11-13)-Kota Kinabalu (February 27-March 1, 2020).
The activities were held at the armed forces’ open day include exhibition of army assets, blood donation drive, health check-up, parachute show, ‘Jiwa Murni’ program.
