KOTA KINABALU: Safety level in the state would be further strengthened with the introduction of a new blueprint that would coordinate security forces and other enforcement agencies here.
OVER TO YOU: Paramasivam (left) shakes hand with Marzuki during the handing over of duties while Salleh (second left) and another officer look on.
General Operations Force (GOF) deputy director Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid said through the new blueprint, security forces and other enforcement agencies in the state would work together to maintain security at the state’s border.
“I believe with this new blueprint, we are able to carry our duties and responsibilities more effectively to ensure any activities against the law such as kidnapping and human trafficking in Sabah could be prevented,” he said after witnessing the handing over of duties between former Sabah GOF brigade commander SAC Datuk Paramasivam Arunasalam and his successor SAC Ahmad Marzuki Mohd Saad at the Kinarut GOF headquarters near here yesterday.
Salleh, who is also in-charge of border management and security at the international airports said this new blueprint would be implemented soon.
When asked by reporters on the safety of the state’s waters following the recent abduction incident, Salleh said: “The security level in Sabah is assured.
“Most of the cases that happened here were isolated cases that we can solve.”
He said the two Sabahan hostages were rescued following the good cooperation between the two governments, Malaysia and the Philippines.
“We are very concerned on the safety of Sabah’s border.
“We are giving top priority to Sabah as we know it has a very large coastal area involving 1,488 kilometres,” he said.
He said although there were limitations in terms of personnel and logistics, the security level, especially in the state was assured as there would be cooperation between the security forces and enforcement agencies such as the Navy, Army and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Salleh also said that foreign tourists should not be worried to visit the state as their movements were monitored daily.
“There is no problem for tourists to come to Sabah as it is a safe place to visit.
We actually know the number and details of tourists and their daily movements as well,” he added.
To another question from reporters on the existence of ‘jalan tikus’ or illegal entry points connecting the state with neighbouring countries, Salleh said the problem could be solved with the implementation of the blueprint.
He admitted that such entry points were being used by illegal immigrants to enter the state, especially in Tawau and Sandakan.
“Efforts are being made to monitor and tackle the problem and I believe it can be solved with the implementation of the new blueprint,” he added.
Also present at the event were deputy Sabah police commissioner SAC Tan Kok Lian and other police officers.