PETALING JAYA, May 17 (Bernama) -- Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief Datuk Seri Rodzali Daud today said though the government had not made a request yet, the RMAF was ready to shift its base from Sungai Besi to enable the base to be developed as a commercial hub.
Rodzali said shifting from the current base would provide RMAF an opportunity to have better facilities and modern infrastructure for officers of the RMAF, including a headquarters.
"Shifting the RMAF base from Sungai Besi to Parit Sontor is still in the planning stages...I do not want to elaborate but the government has plans. But on our side, we will be ready," he told reporters after handing out 'wings' as Nuri air quartermasters here on Monday.
It was earlier reported in a local tabloid that Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had denied reports that the Sungai Besi RMAF base would be developed as a commercial hub.
Zahid had said that he was not aware of any such proposal or plans from the government to develop the base.
Rodzali said if directed to shift, all RMAF assets and facilities, including aircrafts would be shifted to the RMAF Base in Subang or any other base while waiting for the new base to be completed.
During the ceremony, 22 officers, 16 from RMAF, three from the Royal Malaysian Navy and three from the Fire and Rescue Department, received their certificates and 'wings'.
Rodzali said officers who had undergone the course for nine months would assist in handling aircrafts during operations.
"It will be a challenging task for them but they must operate as a team player when carrying out their duties," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Sungai Besi are the home for RMAF Sukhoi Su-100 fighter aircraft
It is also the centre of the highly-classified Air Defence Operations Centre (ADOC)
