SHAH ALAM, July 14 — Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-13 personnel deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are safe amid security concerns in southern Lebanon, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the two personnel sustained minor injuries when hit by glass shards following an airstrike near a UNIFIL logistics convoy and are receiving treatment, and that the ministry will continue to monitor the situation.
“No major MALBATT facilities or assets suffered serious damage, and no serious injuries or loss of life were reported among MALBATT 850-13 personnel.
“Other MALBATT 850-13 personnel serving under the UNIFIL mission are safe and continue to carry out their assigned duties,” he said in a written reply posted on Parliament website.
He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN-Tanah Merah) about the safety of Malaysian personnel following the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in recent Israeli attacks.
He said MALBATT 850-13 has ramped up precautions, including with continuous security monitoring, reinforcement of personnel protection, stronger camp security, convoy movement control, and contingency plans.
Khaled added that the Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) is in close contact with UNIFIL’s Western Sector Headquarters and local authorities to obtain live updates and conduct continuous risk assessments.
“Any changes to the assignment or withdrawal of personnel, or addition of assets, are subject to the mandate and mechanisms established by the United Nations and cannot be decided unilaterally by any troop-contributing nation,” he said.
He assured Malaysians not to worry about the safety of MALBATT personnel, emphasising that their safety, security, and welfare remain the government’s utmost priority as they continue their peacekeeping mission under UN’s mandate.
