Najib comes under fire for ‘security breach’
By G Vinod, Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition leader has taken Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to task over the proposed relocation of the Sungai Besi air force base in lieu of a development project there.
PKR vice-president Azmin Ali also suggested that in its desperation to revive the economy, Najib’s administration was willing to compromise the nation’s security, dignity and sovereignity.
“There is a trend under the new administration to make national assets disappear through the sale of strategic areas to family and cronies,” said the Gombak MP when debating the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) in Parliament yesterday.
On June 10, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the Sungai Besi airport will be relocated to make way for the “Greater Kuala Lumpur” development project under the 10MP.
The minister said the plan is still under discussion, and talk is that the new air force base might be housed in Dengkil.
However, Azmin stressed that its current location was vital from a security viewpoint.
“The airport is the only strategic facility in the frontier city. It also houses the Air Force Operations Centre (POTU) which has the integrated air defence radar supplemented by the Malaysia Air Defence Ground Environment (MADGE),” he said.
Azmin explained that MADGE is an integrated satellite system that has real time battle air picture with direct communication with Butterworth, Kuantan and Bukit Ibam.
“It took about 10 years for the military to perfect this system. Can the government guarantee that during the relocation process, the radar system will not be compromised?” he asked.
Azmin also said the cost to relocate the high technology radar system will inflate the national defence budget, which is already shrouded in secrecy.
He also noted that the Sungai Besi aiport is also where mercy flight operations are handled such as in providing relief for victims of tragedies.
