KUCHING: Sarawak faces a shortage of volunteers in the Territorial Army (TA), chairman of Territorial Army Steering Committee (Jakpaw), Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot said yesterday.

“There is a need to increase the number of volunteers within the set timeframe,” said Baya, who is the state secretary.

A government guideline calls for a 1:1 ratio between volunteers and permanent personnel within the TA by 2010.

The present figure in Malaysia stands at about 50,000 volunteers to more than 80,000 permanent personnel. Between 2011 and 2019, it is planned that the volunteer-permanent ratio would increase to 2:1; and after the year 2020, 3:1.

In Sarawak, there are two major TA camps.

One is ‘Kem Sri Rejang’ in Sibu, and the other, ‘Kem Ria’ here.

A total of 2,008 volunteers have registered at the former, while there are 2,910 at the latter.

“Members of Jakpaw must give their commitment to further promote and attract participants in the Territorial Army,” Baya said.

The TA forms the second line of Malaysia’s defence.

Civilians provide support for the regular Armed Forces and are responsible for the security of key installations in times of conflict.

Originally tasked with area and local defence, the TA units have been reconfigured and will perform front line duties alongside regular units when the need arises.

Baya added: “I urge all Jakpaw members to play their part to be more effective for the greater good of this country’s defence.”

A meeting related to the TA was held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here and among those who attended were Lt Col Jasvinder Singh Naranjan Singh, Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip and Tasik Biru assemblyman Peter Nansian Ngusie.

Prior to the meeting, Nansian was presented the ‘Honorary Major’ rank.