KUALA LUMPUR: The responsibility and duty to safeguard the nation’s security are visible on the faces of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) officers and personnel, who are set to be relocated to the new Sendayan RMAF base in Seremban, Negri Sembilan.
Located on a 303ha land and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the headquarters will serve as the academy and training centre for RMAF officers and personnel nationwide.
Colonel Mohamad Noh Daim, the Kuala Lumpur RMAF airbase commander at Sungai Besi here, sees the move as timely.
He said the development and progress in areas surrounding Sungai Besi had limited the ability of RMAF officers and personnel to carry out their duties.
Noh, 56, said the progress and development had decreased the Kuala Lumpur RMAF base’s security and safety.
Set to be Sendayan RMAF base commander, Noh said the location was strategic and boosted the base’s security.
“With fewer hills and located far from the main road, the Sendayan base is not easy to infiltrate.”
He said the high-rise buildings surrounding the current airbase affected the operational safety of flights.
“The government has come up with a long-term plan to relocate the airbase to another location that is more strategic, systematic and comprehensive.
“The current base will become part of the development of the area (Kuala Lumpur) into a transportation hub.”
Noh said the facilities at the Sendayan RMAF base were more comfortable, especially the living quarters for officers and their families.
“The work environment (at the Sendayan base) is optimal, which will boost the morale and spirit of officers.”
He labelled the negative allegations by certain quarters over the relocation of RMAF officers and personnel to the Sendayan base as unfounded.
“If one goes there (to the Sendayan base), one would see a structured development.
“The relocation to Sendayan will boost businesses and trade in the area (due to officers and personnel working and staying at the base there).”
Noh said the relocation of officers and personnel from bases nationwide had been ongoing since Feb 2 and would be completed by August.
Corporal Noorfaeza Zaini, 30, was ecstatic with her transfer to the Sendayan base.
“I have no problems with being transferred and am looking forward to it,” said the mother of two, who is attached to RMAF’s Material Division.
“It is part of life and this is not the first time I am being transferred.”
She had served at airbases in Kuantan, Pahang; Jerteh, Terengganu; and Alor Star, Kedah.
Noorfaeza, from Chemor, Perak, said the relocation was made easier as her nanny for her two children, aged 2 and 5, would follow them to the Sendayan base.
Corporal Mohd Rofi Mohd Sepan, 32, who is married with two children, aged 3 and 5, gave the new base the thumbs up for its security and living quarters.
“I am happy with the living quarters and security.
“The area is conducive for children (of RMAF officers and personnel) to frolic and play while being safe, thanks to the tight security,” said Rofi who has served RMAF for 11 years.
Attached to the Administration Division, Rofi, from Masjid Tanah, Melaka, said his family was supportive.
“My wife accepts it as it is our duty to relocate to Sendayan (base). She is now working in Bangsar, and is making arrangements to find work at the new place (Sendayan).”
Equipped with 693 living quarters for RMAF officers and personnel and their families, the Sendayan base was one of eight in the country developed by 1Malaysia Development Bhd.