KUCHING: Bilateral collaboration between the civilian population and the national security forces is crucial in defending the sovereignty of the homeland.

1st Division Commander, Major General Dato’ Khairul Anuar Abd Aziz said that through the Jiwa Murni Programme of the MINDEF Strategic Plan (PSM) Level 1 Division, the close relationship established will continue to be strengthened.

“The MINDEF Strategic Plan is a comprehensive effort to ensure that the civilian and military communities understand each other’s roles.

“The spirit of Total Defence needs to be understood, embraced and practiced by all levels of society,” he said in the programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Wira Jaya, Penrissen on Friday.

He added that the good response from schoolchildren proved that the spirit of patriotism and unity among the community was still intact.

Dato’ Khairul Anuar said that national defence does not only depend on military strength alone, but also on the strength of the spirit of the civilian population.

The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the PSM – Engineering Civic Action Programme (ENCAP).

Among the main projects that were given focus included the upgrading of the SK Wira Jaya covered walkway in addition to the implementation of the Medical Civic Action Programme (MEDCAP) and Dental Civic Action Programme (DENCAP) which provide health benefits to schoolchildren and the local community. -UKASnews