Wan Junaidi calls for strategic consideration of naval base in Bintulu

KUCHING (Sept 22): Sarawak's Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, urged the federal government to consider establishing a naval base in Bintulu during a courtesy visit by General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman, the newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces. During the meeting, Wan Junaidi highlighted the importance of Bintulu, a significant economic hub with industrial, energy, and trade interests, and emphasized the need for strategic consideration for a naval base in the region.

He also stressed the importance of stronger security, inter-agency coordination, and border monitoring, particularly along Sarawak's extensive land border with Kalimantan, Indonesia, where over 80 illegal routes could potentially be exploited for illegal cross-border activities. Additionally, Wan Junaidi expressed concern over forest fires in Indonesia, which could threaten Sarawak's forests if not effectively controlled, and called for information sharing and preparedness among relevant agencies and countries to ensure coordinated preventive and disaster management measures.

The importance of national security and stability for economic development, prosperity, and harmony in a multiracial and multireligious society was also stressed, along with the need for the Malaysian Armed Forces to strengthen its preparedness and defence capabilities using modern technology to address increasingly complex security challenges.