Malaysia Urges Expedited Sensor Site Installation on Malawali Island for Border Security

The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has underscored the critical need to expedite the establishment of the Remote Sensor Site (RSS) on Malawali Island, Sabah. This strategic installation is paramount to strengthening national border security, especially in high-risk areas. The approval for this vital project dates back to the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13), yet its construction has regrettably seen no discernible progress.

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I suggest that we follow through on this matter, and subsequently, we need to ensure that the implementing agencies truly move. Whether through the implementing agency or ourselves, the main issue is that the construction of the radar in Pulau Malawali must be expedited.

Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, emphasized that the deployment of the RSS on Malawali Island cannot be further delayed due to its significance in addressing border security challenges. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the implementing agencies actively pursue the construction of the radar system. "The construction of the radar in Pulau Malawali must be expedited," he stated, highlighting that its completion would significantly enhance the nation's ability to control its security zones, particularly along the East Coast of Sabah. This is a top priority, as it will eliminate existing blind spots in the area.

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With that, we can enhance our capability to control our security areas, especially in the East Coast (of Sabah). This is a top priority in this sector; if we finish on schedule, there will be no more 'blind spots' for that area, and this is the number one requirement for me.

The minister also noted the approval of six additional security posts in the same vicinity, which are currently awaiting implementation. He pointed out that projects with high security value should not be managed under standard Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) but must receive higher priority. "This is not an ordinary development project; it must be viewed from a different perspective," he remarked, stressing the urgency and importance of these security infrastructure upgrades.

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So I see the need for the radar as very important in organizing the movement in terms of security management.

Furthermore, the ministry has allocated RM88 million for the construction of the RSS, which was approved in the first phase of RMK-13. The successful implementation of the RSS and the additional security posts will be instrumental in improving the monitoring of illegal immigrant entries and other cross-border activities, thereby reinforcing Malaysia's national security apparatus.

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My view is that if a project has high security value, it cannot be implemented according to ordinary KPIs. It must be given higher priority in terms of security. This is not an ordinary development project; it must be viewed from a different perspective.