Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said it would be modelled after Sabah’s forward base which was completed with the cooperation of the national oil company Petronas.

“If that (forward base) is suitable for implementation in Bintulu, with assistance from those in the oil and gas industry, we will be able to respond faster to threats),” he told reporters here after attending an event for army veterans.

If the plan materialised, Hishammuddin said, the forward base would be able to operate as a helicopter landing base, handling unmanned aerial vehicles, better known as drones, and station the special task force.

He said the matter would be discussed in detail with the oil and gas industry after the coming state elections as it would be expensive to set up such facilities in the open sea.

On efforts to improve security measures in Sabah waters, he said the Cabinet meeting yesterday had agreed to step up security at resorts and hotels following the latest abduction involving four Malaysians.

Earlier in his speech, Hishammuddin announced that the Natural Disaster Assistance – previously only eligible for houses owned by army veterans – was extended to those renting or staying at family homes with a maximum assistance of RM5,000.

“For Public Universities Assistance, previously it was only limited to children of army veterans with household income of less than RM4,000 per month, but now it is open to all, on condition that applicants obtain excellent results,” he said.

– BERNAMA