Edited by winamp05 at 11-9-2019 07:51 PM
Akhirnya tertunai juga kehendak ko @sarah82
Aku akan jadikan thread ini sebagai mengenang jasa ranjer hutan Sarawak. Sekarang terdapat cadangan untuk mewujudkan semula skim ini.
KUCHING: The suggestion to revive the Sarawak Rangers and Border Scouts to fortify the state’s border was unanimously well received by the public.
The Sarawak Rangers and Border Scouts’ reinstatement was floated by Rural Electricity Assistant Minister Datuk Liwan Lagang in view of Indonesia relocating its capital city to East Kalimantan.
The Belaga assemblyman opined that Indonesia’s plan highlighted the urgency for the 1,100km Sarawak-Kalimantan border to be strengthened by Sarawak’s own security forces.
Sarawak’s security forces originally consisted of Sarawak Rangers, Border Scouts and the Sarawak Police Field Force, which were absorbed by federal agencies after the formation of Malaysia.
This was due to Article 74, 77 of the Federal Constitution that stipulated that security matter pertaining to the state falls under federal jurisdiction. Sarawak Rangers were absorbed by Malaysia Rangers; the Sarawak Police Field Force were absorbed by the Police Field Force and the Border Scouts were disbanded with some absorbed into the Royal Malaysian Police. K Shunmugam
“The idea of Indonesia proposing to shift its capital to Kalimantan would directly or indirectly benefit Sarawak economically, however the security aspect has to be taken into consideration seriously,” said K. Shunmugam, a retired Special Branch officer.
“Due to the porous border between Sarawak and Kalimantan, I believe security should be tightened in order to avoid an influx of illegal immigrants or rather undesirable elements into Sarawak either by land or by sea and cause security problems.
“Security must be enhanced not only at our legal entry points but also at the illegal entry points. The question arises is whether we will have sufficient manpower and the security forces to look after such a wide border,” he said.
“I would suggest the Sarawak Border Scouts and the Sarawak Rangers be revived to guard the wide borders. They established a good track record in guarding the borders between Sarawak and Indonesia during Confrontation days and also at the height of the communist insurgency.” Datuk Penguang Manggil
Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datuk Penguang Manggil said: “It may not be possible to revive the Border Scouts and Sarawak Rangers under the existing political climate. I’m in support of the revival but the question is, will the federal government allow it to happen?”
He added: “The former Field Force Battalion, now called Pasukan Gerak Am (PGA), can perform the job as well. The army now also has a Border Unit based in Sibu.”
Meanwhile, a ROTU intermediate level officer opined that the Sarawak Rangers still holds a sentimental value among Sarawakians. Mejar Nasriman Abdul Rahman
“The state needs to highlight its urgency. The reinstatement of the state’s forces would need further investment.
“Now we have the Border Regiment, which was formed about five years ago under the Territorial Army, to patrol the borders and the army retained a ranger corps headquartered in Ipoh.
“If the Rangers were to be revived, maybe we can use a similar framework to the Royal Johor Military Force,” said Mejar Nasriman Abdul Rahman.
Lecturer Dr Lucy Sebli reckoned that more manpower is needed to secure the state’s border as smuggling of weapons and drugs is becoming rampant. Dr Lucy Sebli Seidelson
“This is because the security along the border is understaffed, which leads to lack of enforcement. It is easy for foreigners to move in and out of the border undetected as it is very porous at the moment.
“Sarawak shouldn’t end up like Sabah who depended on the federal government to look after the state’s security. By the time federal security forces arrive, lives would already been lost,” she said.
“Our past leaders should have protested but they didn’t due to politics pertaining to state-federal relations which our state leaders caved in. Secondly when the peace agreement was signed and communist insurgency ended, some believed that peace was restored.”
Stephanie Tan, a trader, thinks illegal border crossers should be mitigated through Sarawak’s own security forces. “I hope our local authorities can manage it on their own.”
Piasau PBB chairman Sardon Zainal said: “Back then we had common goals to fight the subversive communists and terrorists. If we were to have the Sarawak Rangers, who will pay their salaries? The state doesn’t have sufficient income to sustain the force.”
“Unless the income tax and SST are collected by the Sarawak government then I agree that we should reinstate the Sarawak Rangers to do security patrol along the state borders.
“If we are able to spend and pay the Sarawak Rangers then we will provide more bullets for the PH government to shoot the Sarawak government for not able to build schools and repair dilapidated schools here.
“We don’t want to be labelled as penny wise, pound foolish. This matter should be brought up to the coming State Legislative Assembly seating for further elaboration.”
As for citizen Jilin Itar, “From my personal point of view, it is a good step to revive the Sarawak Rangers. This is so that they can look after our own state security and tighten the borders and prevent illegal crossers.”
“Let the past be. No point dwelling on it. Let’s move on! We plan for our future. Just make a motion at the DUN sitting where Sarawak needs to enforce our border in view of Indonesia relocating its capital to East Kalimantan,” opined Kuching SUPP deputy youth chief Peter Pau.
A Sarawakian residing in Petaling Jaya, Jeffery Goh, had this to say. “Are they serious? Why only now? Is it because of the state election? Do our politicians think they can manage on their own? Who is going to pay their salaries?”
“I suggest you ask them to answer these questions. As to the question of who disbanded the Rangers, ask our past leaders? Shouldn’t they have done something back then?” he added.
Martin Song, a freelance PR practitioner, said: “If this is the wish of our Sarawakians, then why not? The disbandment could be due to political reasons from outside. Sarawakians apart from a few are all for it. We should remember that Sarawak Rangers were once our saviours.”
Alice Wee, a former journalist, was all for the idea. “Yes, we should revive Sarawak Rangers. Our own people know our borders geographically, demographically and socially.”
“I guess before, we were too security complacent of the peace after the confrontation that we view the need of only one common army,” she added. “Now Sarawak cannot leave everything to Putrajaya even if it is the responsibility of the federal government.
“Like education, see what happens. They dragged their feet all the time. It’s high time that Sarawak has some kind of security forces to protect the border and our strategic assets,” reckoned PR officer Ambrose C.
“Sarawak Rangers and the Border Scouts were one of the best trackers in the world. This was even acknowledged by the Gurkhas. If the federal government allows it, we should bring them back. After all, it is our border,” said ex-MBKS councilor Datuk Goh Leng Chua.
Meanwhile, columnist Dah Ikhwan said: “If there is need to tighten border security, it may be a good idea to strengthen the necessary forces, but not necessarily the Sarawak Rangers.”
“The Rangers are best deployed in potential sensitive areas in Peninsular Malaysia where racial or religious tension are prevalent, since Sarawak forces are known to be most neutral in such cases.
“I can’t remember when the Sarawak Rangers were disbanded. It could have been done without consultation or prior knowledge of the state.”
Executive Mervin Goh said: “Firstly, borders are international boundaries that need federal engagement. Having our own border army is akin to being an independent state.”
“It is not wise to spend money on such extravaganza as the fund could be used more appropriate ways,” he added.
“We already have the army, the General Operations Force (GOF), the Civil Defence and Forest Rangers. Will another group make any real difference?
“Just look at the forest fires and haze woes in Sarawak. We have the Department of Environment (DOE), Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and Fire and Rescue Department yet there are those who still doing open burning year after year.
Datuk Richard Wee As for concerned citizen Datuk Richard Wee, he said: “The Police Field Force, Rangers and Border Scouts are all historically the security forces unique to Sarawak. For these to be disbanded was a total arrogance on the part of the federal government then.”
“They all played an important role during the May 13 racial riots in West Malaysia. I am of the view that if there is any chance or opportunity to have them revived, it will be a good development for Sarawak,” he stressed.
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