TAWAU:The national security and safety is further enhanced with addition of 12 new armoured vehicles AV 8X8 and a full-forced 650 Infantry Battalion members under the Eastern Sabah Security Commission (Esscom).
The Defence Ministry said new assets, named GEMPITA, was in line with the latest needs of modern warfare and would be placed at Kukusan Camp, Tawau.
As for the Infantry Battalion, the Bridged under Esscom would be placed at Felda Sahabat Lahad Datu camp once the camp was completed. As of now, some of its 22 officers and 351 of its members were temporarily placed at Kukusan Camp, the ministry said.
Speaking at the Army Forces Demonstration event at Tawau Airport, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the military was more than equipped to handle any threats in the region especially in eastern Sabah.
"The country has more than enough military assets and experienced members in handling any possible attacks in this region (eastern Sabah), especially with the addition of these new assets.
"As I've said previously, terror threats in the region and also the Islamic State ideology in the country is still under control and this is one of the many preventive measures we have taken to ensure it does not get any worse," he told reporters at the Tawau Airport for the Army's Force Demonstration.
Welfare and comfortable housing for the military personnel was also top of the list for the ministry, Hishammuddin said.
The public were given a rare chance to experience first-hand battle in a demonstration by the army.
More than 400 people, adults and children alike, came to watch the demonstration which included a parachute scene, bombing practices, Malaysia's aircraft capabilities and strategic land movement.