By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, March 24: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has identified Muara Tebas in Kuching as the ideal location for its planned Region 4 Naval Headquarters (Markas Wilayah Laut 4 or Mawilla 4), citing its natural water depth of 14 metres as a key factor for development.
RMN chief Admiral Datuk Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain said the naturally deep waters make the site highly suitable for naval operations, as it can accommodate vessels ranging from 100 to 120 metres in length without requiring extensive dredging.
“This location offers a natural depth of 14 metres, which is a significant advantage. It eliminates the need for major dredging works, making it a more cost-effective and strategic choice for our naval base,” he said at a press conference after a working visit to the site earlier this morning.
The proposed headquarters in Sarawak is seen as a long-overdue move to strengthen Malaysia’s maritime security presence in the South China Sea.
Preliminary assessments by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) have indicated that the site meets key operational requirements.
Zulhelmy stated that construction of the naval base, once approved, is expected to take approximately 36 months.
He assured that the project would not involve any relocation of local residents and is anticipated to bring positive economic benefits to the surrounding community.
He also noted that the site may serve as a potential transit point for submarines in the future, with assessments ongoing regarding its viability for resupply and docking operations.
“The development of this base is not just about security—it’s also about economic prosperity for Sarawak,” he added.
The project remains in its early stages, with further discussions and approvals required before construction begins.
Among those present during the visit were Defence Force Chief Gen Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESTY), Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain; and other invited guests. — DayakDaily
