Malaysia to build new naval base

Malaysia to build new naval base

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia plans to build a one billion ringgit (US$400 million) naval base in the eastern state of Sabah to beef up maritime security in the area, the New Straits Times said yesterday.

"In terms of security, this area is prone to piracy, murder, smuggling and the influx of illegal immigrants," the newspaper quoted Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar as saying.

Police said they believed pirates operating out of the nearby southern Philippines islands were responsible for recent attacks on coastal towns in Sabah.

The daily said work on the 144-hectare site at Teluk Sepanggar, about 25 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, is expected to start soon.