KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) chief Gen Tan Sri Affendi Buang on Sunday (June 21) conducted a working visit to the joint MAF and Indonesian National Armed Forces post at the Biawak Operation Planning Committee Camp in Lundu, Sarawak.
The MAF headquarters, in a statement, said Affendi’s visit was to study the preparedness of the army which was involved in guarding the land border between Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia, which is also part of the implementation of Ops Benteng by the National Task Force (NTF).
“It aims to tighten the national borders in close co-ordination with other enforcement and security agencies to tackle cross-border crime activities, especially to prevent the encroachment of illegal immigrants as well as prevent possible outbreaks of Covid-19 they may be carrying.
“MAF, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and other security enforcement agencies will continue to be committed in implementing Ops Benteng,” it said.
During the visit, Affendi was also taken to one of the rat trails in Biawak, which was tightly guarded to prevent any intrusion or cross-border criminal activity, and was briefed on operations by the Fourth Regiment Royal Armoured Corp chief, Lt Col Shamzaini Misran.
Also with Affendi on the visit were Army chief Gen Datuk Zamrose Mohd Zain, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail, Sarawak Immigration Department director, Datuk Ken Leben and Sarawak Customs director, Datuk Sharifah Halimah Tuanku Taha.
The Covid-19 Ops Benteng was launched on May 12 with the co-operation of the PDRM, MAF, MMEA and all the country’s land and maritime enforcement agencies. – Bernama
