Strategic Infrastructure On Layang-layang Island To Be Further Strengthened
PULAU LAYANG-LAYANG, June 16 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Defence will continue to strengthen strategic infrastructure on Layang-Layang Island, including operational, logistical, communications and support facilities, to ensure the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) LIMA Station remains at optimum readiness.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the move was important as Layang-Layang Island is one of the country's strategic areas in the South China Sea and serves as a frontline in safeguarding national sovereignty.
Located about 270 kilometres from Labuan and 280km from Sabah, Layang-Layang Island is home to RMN's LIMA Station, a national forward operating base in the South China Sea established on April 17, 1984.
The 35-hectare station plays a key role in supporting national security, surveillance and defence operations in Gugusan Semarang Peninjau.
“This area is subject to overlapping claims by China, Vietnam and the Philippines, and our presence here further reinforces the government's commitment to ensuring sovereignty, security and other related activities in this area are maintained continuously.
“It demonstrates the government's commitment to defending this area because it is our country's frontline. That is why we are here today, to show that our presence will be continuous and to reaffirm that this is our territory and we will defend it,” he told reporters after a working visit to RMN's LIMA Station here today.
Also present were Defence Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, Royal Malaysian Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Muhamad Norazlan Aris and Joint Forces commander Lt Gen Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim.
Mohamed Khaled said the government would also install an air defence radar on Layang-Layang Island to enhance security capabilities in the area, complementing the existing maritime radar used to detect vessel movements.
“That is among the objectives of today's visit and I believe we will continue undertaking whatever efforts are necessary, including installing an air defence radar here.
“We already have a maritime radar to detect ships and will next install an air defence radar to strengthen our monitoring capabilities in the area,” he said.
He said site preparation works for the radar would be carried out first before the system is expected to be fully operational by 2029.
Mohamed Khaled said RMN's LIMA Station not only plays a role in safeguarding national sovereignty in Gugusan Semarang Peninjau, but also supports intelligence gathering and the logistical needs of RMN vessels and other agencies, including the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
He said improvements on the island would also cover basic facilities and personnel welfare, including water and electricity supply, food provisions and accommodation, to ensure personnel can carry out their duties effectively.
Mohamed Khaled said Layang-Layang Island would continue to be developed as the country's frontline outpost in the South China Sea through a sustained presence, without provocation or escalating tensions in the area.
He said efforts to strengthen the island's capabilities would also include the use of unmanned systems and new technologies to enhance Malaysia's maritime domain awareness, particularly in detecting suspicious movements in the country's waters.
Apart from defence and security, Mohamed Khaled said Layang-Layang Island also holds significant research potential, particularly in marine ecosystems, biodiversity and coral reef sustainability in the South China Sea.
He said such research potential should be fully leveraged through integrated efforts involving relevant agencies and higher education institutions, given the area's strategic value not only for national sovereignty but also for environmental conservation, fisheries and the development of the maritime economy.
-- BERNAMA
