Major security risk at Nusajaya
(The Star) JOHOR BARU: Kota Iskandar, the sprawling new state administrative capital in Nusajaya, faces a major security risk as it is located near a Singapore firing range.
The range, inside the Sarimbun Camp, is operated by the Singapore Armed Forces and involves the use of live ammunition from tanks and aircraft including helicopter gunships.
Sarimbun is located about 1km away from Lim Chu Kang Road in Singapore where Japanese soldiers crossed the Johor Straits in a fleet of small boats and successfully landed on the island around midnight on Feb 8, 1942.
There have been instances when the explosions at the range have caused vibrations on the Malaysian side less than 2km away.
Government servants, who have been moving into buildings at Kota Iskandar in recent weeks, have also expressed worries about stray bullets or shells.
Nusajaya assemblyman Datuk Aziz Sapian said he was aware of the risks posed by the firing range and had raised the security issue at the Johor State Assembly even before the area was developed.
He hoped the Government would discuss the matter with Singapore and set up a military base on Pulau Merabong to beef up security around Kota Iskandar.
“The situation has gotten worse as over the past two days, the Singapore planes have been flying too low, and this is a nuisance to the people,” he said, adding that he had received many complaints from residents.
A check at the site showed an area surrounded by perimeter fencing with a guard post overlooking the Straits of Johor. There is also a large board with a picture of a skull at the site.
It is learnt that sirens go off to warn boats to stay away when they venture too close to the camp.
A security source said it was not a good idea to have state leaders all in one spot next to a military camp or firing range.
A diplomatic source said there have been no formal discussions between Malaysia and Singapore to relocate the firing range but it might be discussed in future.
“We must realise that the camp was there even before Nusajaya was developed,” he said, adding that it would not be easy to persuade Singapore to relocate the firing range.
