The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will increase the security along the country’s borders in Sabah and Sarawak after Indonesia decided to shift its capital to East Kalimantan.
According to Bernama, Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Affendi Buang said there is a need to increase the number of border posts and regiments as the relocation is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024.
“It is already in our plans, and this will be done in stages because the relocation will increase the number of residents and economic sectors in the area,” he said.
Affendi explained that the increase in population may likely contribute to an increase in cross-border crime cases such as smuggling.
He said the MAF will also cooperate with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) regarding border control, adding that the move to increase the number of security posts would be made in tandem with TNI.
“When MAF builds a border post on the Malaysian side, TNI will also build one on their side. Insya-Allah, the number will increase significantly in the future,” he said.
In January this year, the Indonesian government passed the new capital law that mandates the government to move the administrative capital to East Kalimantan, in a bid to spread the distribution of income.
It is said that 58% of Indonesia’s economic activities are centred on the most populous Java Island, where Jakarta is located.
Jakarta, with a population of more than 10 million, has for many decades been the administrative capital, as well as the financial and business hub.
The new capital of the country will be Nusantara Capital city, located in Penajam Paser Utara regency, which is expected to officially open by October 2024, when President Joko Widodo’s term ends.
The full completion of the mega project is expected within 15 to 20 years.
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