The construction of the Tun Sharifah Rodziah sea-basing ship in the waters off eastern Sabah will tighten maritime security, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) areas.

Armed forces chief Gen Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the sea-basing ship would be equipped with interceptor boats, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopter and a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) team.

“The sea-basing ship would be accredited soon, probably in August,” he said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He said with the presence of the sea-basing ship, efforts to safeguard national waters, especially to intercept criminal boats in areas near southern Philippines, would be easier.

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