MKN procures a new MPCP vessel to replace the Tun Sharifah Rodziah Sea Base, enhancing maritime security in Eastern Sabah.
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (MKN) will procure a Multi Purpose Command Platform (MPCP) vessel to replace the Tun Sharifah Rodziah Sea Base (PL TSR) in a move to strengthen security control in the nation’s waters off Eastern Sabah.
In a statement today, MKN said the decision was made in view of Sabah’s strategic geopolitical position and to maintain the highest level of maritime security control, in addition to current security landscape and the high maintenance cost of the PL TSR.
“The MKN meeting agreed to replace the base with an MPCP vessel that offers greater mobility, more advanced technology and the ability to operate more efficiently and effectively compared with the previous static platform,” the statement said.
According to the council, the procurement had been approved under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to become among MKN’s key projects to strengthen defence instruments and national security control in high-risk areas.
It said the government had agreed to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Malaysia government, represented by Director-General of National Security Raja Datuk Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, and Türkiye government, represented by Defence Industry Agency (SSB) Vice President for Systems and Platforms Mustafa M. Seker, to realise the project.
According to MKN, Türkiye was selected as a strategic partner based on the progress of its defence industry, while also creating opportunities for technology transfer, facility investments in Malaysia and the exchange of expertise between the two countries.
The MPCP will function as a versatile forward operating base equipped with long-range surveillance radar as well as unmanned platforms involving Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs).
“The vessel will have dynamic capabilities to undertake a wide range of maritime enforcement operations and can be deployed flexibly to hotspot areas, thereby helping to significantly reduce security threats in Eastern Sabah,” it added.
It said the Whole of Government and Whole of Society (WOGOS) operational concept would be implemented through collaboration among the various government enforcement agencies.
“The presence of the MPCP is expected to further enhance preparedness, surveillance and rapid response against threats such as intrusion, smuggling and cross-border crime,” it said.
MKN said the Royal Malaysian Navy would lead operations of the MPCP vessel based on its extensive experience operating in Sabah waters.
Prior to this, Bernama reported that the Tun Sharifah Rodziah Sea Base, located in the waters off Semporna, was officially decommissioned last Wednesday after a decade of serving as the frontline bastion safeguarding security and sovereignty in the nation’s waters off Eastern Sabah.
