The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) will increase its manpower to assist in Ops Penawar which starts yesterday in Sabah.

Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Datuk Zamrose Mohd Zain said the additional 160 members would take care of certain places declared as quarantine areas.

"Among the critical areas are Tawau and Lahad Datu where control and movement orders need to be tightened," he told a press conference after the Parade Ceremony in conjunction with the Chief of Army 100th day in office yesterday.

Zamrose said although COVID-19 cases have dropped slightly in recent days but due to the emergence of new clusters in Sabah, its members were deployed to help tighten compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) during the Recovery Movement Control Order.

He said, a total of 2,300 members have been mobilised accordingly in Sabah, including for Ops Pasir Utara and Selatan, Ops Pasir Pesisir Pantai, Ops Balasah and Ops Penawar.

Meanwhile, the country's land border control activities will continue to be enhanced from time to time by putting emphasis on two things, namely intelligence and efficient cyber technology in efforts to prevent and reduce intrusion activities.

"Since implementing the two things, encroachment into the country's borders have been controlled and many illegal immigrants have been arrested and handed over to the police," he said.

In another development, Zamrose said his team would also be prepared to assist the Royal Malaysia Police to face any eventuality in the Sabah State Election process which will take place today.

"Although there has been no threat, the military personnel are prepared and will always help the police tomorrow (today) should there be any untoward incident," he said.

Earlier, the parade was participated by 109 officers and 827 members and it was implemented in compliance with the SOP set by the Ministry of Health.

-- BERNAMA