KOTA KINABALU: The setting up of the Special Security Area (SSA) in Sabah is timely and a necessity as the state has a large coastal area, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said.
“I agree with the setting up of the SSA as there must be stricter security control in Sabah as well as Sarawak because of their proximity to neighbouring countries,” Chor told reporters on Saturday night.
He said this after presenting the annual grant from the ministry to local authorities in Sabah and the handing over of PPR (Projek Perumahan Rakyat) Taman Kinarut Ria in Papar to the district office there.
Chor, who was asked to comment on the setting up of the SSA as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during his visit to Lahad Datu last week, pointed out that the coastal line of the whole country is also very long.
Stricter security control is therefore a necessity, he added.
Meanwhile Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor when commenting on the SSA, said it was good and needed in Sabah in light of the recent intrusion in Lahad Datu.
“I laud and welcome the action taken by the federal government to ensure better control of the security in Sabah, especially in the east coast. We hope with the SSA it will prevent future intrusions into the state,’ he said.