Defence plans by previous gov't will be continued to ensure preparedness of assets

LUMUT: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will continue with whatever plans implemented during the previous government's administration, which includes transforming its fleet of 15 types of vessel to five, to ensure the preparedness of the national defence assets in the long term.
Navy Chief, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said the move was also welcomed by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu who will be paying great attention to the needs of the country's defence assets.
"The defence minister has stated that he is committed to the welfare of RMN personnel which needs to be prioritised.
"Military equipment, including ships, which need to be replaced and added is part of his (Mohamad Sabu) agenda and thoughts.This is a spirit that we need to strengthen, and we can give our best to the government," he said.
He said this after witnessing the handing-over of duties ceremony between Commander-in-Chief of the Western Fleet, Vice-Admiral Datuk Seri Mohamad Roslan Mohamad Ramli and his deputy, First Admiral Abu Bakar Mohd Ajis at the RMN Base here today.
Mohamad Roslan, who is the 22nd Commander of the Western Fleet, will undergo a transitional period before ending his service in June 2019.
He joined the RMN in 1978, and has held various key posts including as commanding officer of RMN ships, KD Sri Sarawak, KD Jerai, KD Jebat and KD Sultan Idris I, as well as human resources director at the Naval Headquarters and Chief Assistant of J8 Staff at the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Headquarters.
Mohamad Roslan, who has led the Western Fleet Command Headquarters since 2014, has also managed to transform the headquarters into a world-class facility as all its assets have been involved in various international-class exercises, and recognised as the best naval base in the country for 2016 and 2017. — Bernama