KUALA LUMPUR: Containing the global Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging for the Army, just like in its battles against enemies of the nation.
So, too, has been the Army's task of assisting other enforcement agencies in thwarting the influx of illegal immigrants, smuggling of goods, human trafficking, militancy and other trans-border crimes.
Hence, despite the slowdown in the economy, the Army has been having its hands full in ensuring that the country's sovereignty remains intact and the people's well-being has been preserved.
Army chief Gen Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain said his men are always on full alert and remain a fighting-fit outfit as a responsible enforcement agency, whose tasks extend to other community related activities.
"Having passed through the stages of the communist terrorist insurgency, the Confrontation (with Indonesia), religious radicals and large-scale incursions (like the Lahat Datu invasion by Sulu militants from the Philippines), we are constantly called upon to assist in human disaster relief operations, healthcare and natural calamities like floods.
"Our engineers are relied upon in expeditiously mobilising the laying of bridges when traditional ones are damaged, which can cut off vital transport links in cities and rural areas.
"We have often been also called upon to erect fast-track homes for the needy in times of duress,
"All these are done towards creating a closer rapport with the various communities under our 'Jiwa Murni' (sincerity) programmes," he told newsmen at the Perdana Camp in Sungai Besi, in conjunction with the 88th Army Day on March 1.
This year's theme for the anniversary is 'Sinergi Tentera Darat dan Rakyat: Tunjang Kedaulatan Negara' (The Army-People Synergy: The Nation's Sovereign Pillar).
Zamrose added that in the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, the Army's resources have had to be mobilised to complement other federal agencies like the police, air force, navy, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Immigration, Customs, Health Ministry and the like to perform various 'military operations other than war'.
"Our officers and men, thus, have been in the thick of action during Op Penawar (Covid-19 screening), Op Benteng (illegal immigrants and anti-smuggling) and in manning road blocks following the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
"We have never shunned our responsibilities when called upon to do so by the government, as we march on steadfastly against all odds.
Yet, we have not let our guard down in the deep fringes of the jungles and international borders where our troops remain on active duty and high alert.
"So, too, are drills and trainings which are being carried out to ensure we remain professionally fighting-fit physically, emotionally and spiritually," he said.
On the Covid-19 vaccination programme, Zamrose said a total of 26,500 (of the Army's full strength of 86,000) soldiers serving in red zones in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor are being inoculated on a priority list.
As for housing, Zamrose said the Defence Ministry had approved 63,000 new homes to be built for soldiers at camps in Sungai Besi, Wardieburn and the Royal Military Police depot in Genting Klang.
Additionally, he said the procurement of newer assets is in the pipeline under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), especially to ensure that there is adequate fire-power in Sabah and Sarawak, in view of the increasing sovereign threats over there.
"To date, most of our combative assets have to be mobilised to East Malaysia from the peninsula, thus, diluting the strength in the West.
"In due course, the plan is for Sabah and Sarawak to be self-sufficient and independent in manpower, logistics and other resources.
"In the meantime, we work according to priority with the available resources," said Zamrose.
It is learnt that the Army plans to phase out or refurbish its aging fleet of 26 British-made FV101 Scorpion light tanks and the 400-plus German-made Radpanzer Condor 4X4 armoured personnel carriers (APC).
Already, the Army has reportedly acquired in batches a total of 257 Deftech AV8 Gempita 8x8 multi-purpose armoured vehicles built locally in collaboration with Turkey.
Plans are also afoot to increase the Army's arsenal of about 170 units of 105mm towed artillery guns, the establishment of the 99th Cyber Warfare Signals Regiment and the Air Defence Artillery Group.
The Army Air Unit is also scheduled to receive six McDonnell Douglas MD530-G light-attack helicopters from the United States in August.
"Such upgrades and strategic acquisitions are vital to enhance the Army's fire-power, so as to remain credible and relevant.
"All these fall under the progressive 30-year 'Army 4NextG' (for next generation) modernisation programme (from the 12th Malaysia Plan)," said Zamrose.