Malaysia to tighten security at borders with Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia: Defence minister Hishammuddin

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he had ordered the armed forces to beef up patrols across the entire border. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PETALING JAYA (The Star/Asia News Network) - Malaysia will tighten security at its borders following the recent spate of militant and terrorist attacks in neighbouring countries and deploy more assets to these areas.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he had ordered the armed forces to beef up patrols across the entire border.

"This is because of the incidents that have taken place in three of our neighbours - the bombing at a hospital in Bangkok, bombing in Kampung Melayu, Jakarta, and the worsening conflict between Filipino forces and militants in Marawi City, Mindanao.

"In Sabah, the armed forces will deploy more assets, including two additional ships for patrols and placing Quick Reaction Force members along with the troops already operating on the islands off the state," Hishammuddin said in a statement on Saturday (May 27).

"Additional combat boat patrols at strategic locations and the deployment of an additional company of infantry at the Cenderawasih, Lahad Datu area, are to make sure the Lahad Datu coastline is fully guarded," he said.

Hishammuddin added that he had also spoken to the defence ministers of the three countries and pledged that Malaysia, through its armed forces, would work closely with its neighbours to ensure security in the region.

Adding that he had also spoken to Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Home Minister, on the matter, he said the security landscape of the world was becoming increasingly challenging.

"The recent terrorist attacks in Egypt, Manchester, Paris, Stockholm, Iraq and Afghanistan prove the threat is real," he said.

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