KUALA LUMPUR: The Lahad Datu army camp is expected to be completed in the middle of 2027, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the tendering process for the RM547 million project in Felda Sahabat, Sabah, had been completed.
"The construction will take 42 months to complete.
"It is learnt that the contractor has entered the site," he said in reply to a question from Senator Datuk Noraini Idris.
Mohamad said the military camp was one of the projects in the pipeline aimed to increase the level of preparedness of the armed forces and strengthen security levels, especially in the East Malaysia region.
The Lahad Datu intrusion in March 2013, saw Sulu terrorists from the Southern Philippines landed on the beach of Kampung Tanduo, leading to a bloody battle with the national security forces.
Ten members of the Malaysian security forces and 68 Sulu militants were killed in the tragedy.
Other projects, Mohamad said, included construction of the fifth brigade base, 19th Royal Malay Regiment (19 RAMD) and 22nd royal artillery regiment (22 RAD) camp; as well as 632 housing units for military personnel at Paradise camp in Kota Belud, Sabah.
The projects would cost RM584 million in total, with the fifth brigade base, 19 RAMD and accommodations expected to start in the first quarter of next year and completion in 2027.
"Meanwhile, the construction project of 22 RAD has been approved under the third rolling plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and tender is expected to be issued in September, 2024.
"This project will take 36 months and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2025."
The existing fifth brigade base in Lok Kawi camp in Kota Kinabalu would be relocated to Paradise Camp, he said.
He said half of the self-propelled howitzers - currently based in Sungai Petani, Kedah - will be placed in Paradise Camp that will enhance mobility and firing power in East Malaysia in enhancing the army's might.
"Various efforts are ongoing and taken in enhancing our performance and defence might in the Eastern Field.
"Previously, we faced numerous threats at the Straits of Malacca and others, but currently, we are facing threats in the Eastern Field, especially at our borders, Sulu Sea, South China Sea, with the recent developments in the latter requiring the armed forces and country's defence to be strengthened."
In enhancing the Command and Control System in the east coast, procurement of six gap filler radar estimated at RM57 million will be carried out under the 12MP and 13MP, he said.
He said eight out of the 13 Fast Interceptor Craft (FICs) under the armed forces procurement would be placed in Sabah waters, with four of them to be delivered on Dec 29 and the rest in March next year.
"The ministry will continue to strengthen maritime operations and InsyaAllah will receive long range radar that will be placed in Layang-Layang Island."