KUCHING: Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar received a courtesy call from Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Malek Razak Sulaiman at Astana Negeri Sarawak on Tuesday.

The visit marked Tan Sri Malek’s first official introductory meeting following his appointment as the 24th Chief of Defence Force, effective 1 February 2026, and provided a platform to discuss security, defence and matters of strategic importance to Sarawak.

During the nearly hour-long meeting, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi stressed the need to strengthen security along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, including addressing more than 80 illegal routes that could potentially be used for cross-border activities.

He also called for greater attention to the security of Sarawak’s waters, particularly off Bintulu, including consideration of a proposal to establish a naval base given the area’s strategic importance.

The meeting also touched on regional cooperation in addressing transboundary haze, as well as the need to enhance preparedness, information sharing and coordination among the relevant agencies.

Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi also stressed the importance of enhancing the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (MAF) preparedness and advancing defence technology and innovation to bolster the nation’s capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign expertise.

Also present were the Sarawak Governor’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, wife of the Chief of Defence Force Puan Sri Datin Seri Siti Juana Md Ibrahim, Commander of the 1st Infantry Division Major General Mohd Sobirin Mohd Yusof and his wife Noor Hamiza Suhami, Commander Muhammad Shahir Salleh from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and Lieutenant Colonel Nasaruddin Khalid from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). -UKASnews

Prepared By: Ezzah Syafiqah
Photo: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Nerissa Sia