There are no political, racial or regional considerations in the setting up of the state-level Territorial Army Support Committee (Jakpaw), said Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.     

He said the setting up of Jakpaw was in line with the adoption programme undertaken by voluntary organisations as it would be able to plan the types of assistance needed to develop the Territorial Army Regiment.     

"I wish to stress that efforts to develop the Territorial Army are mainly for the purpose of defence and national security," he said at the conferment of the brigadier general (honorary) rank to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud as the Sarawak Jakpaw patron at the Unity Stadium here today.     

State Secretary Lt Col Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, who is Sarawak Jakpaw chairman and 511 Territorial Army commander, was bestowed with the colonel rank.     

Ahmad Zahid said Jakpaw was also responsible in disseminating information to enhance national integration, increase productivity, and inculcate a concern and alert society that could contribute to national security.     

"I hope Jakpaw state committees will provide incentives, privileges and recognition to members of the Territorial Army to encourage more people to join it," he said, adding this would pave the way for the successful implementation of total national defence (Hanruh).     

Ahmad Zahid also called on state governments to provide more camps and training areas for the Territorial Army.     

In his speech, Taib encouraged the people to join the Territorial Army as it helped instilled the spirit of patriotism and willingness to sacrifice in safeguarding the country’s security, dignity and national sovereignty.   

"We must always be ready to face any emergency. Adequate training is needed to acquire military knowledge and skills. By joining the Territorial Army, members will be undergoing military training and ready to maintain peace and security," he said.     

Meanwhile, a group of media practitioners, including editors, were taken on a tour of the Serikin Post and the Jiwa Murni area in Serikin today in the 'Senior Editors Visit to Forward Base' programme to enlighten them on the role of the Territorial Army.     

- Bernama