LAHAD DATU: What used to be a hideout for armed Filipino intruders may soon be turned into a tourists spot.
Realising the tourism potential of Kampung Tanduo, the District Officer here, Zulkifli Nasir, said if everything goes well, tenders will be issued out soon to invite potential investors to develop the area.
“The beach is beautiful,” said Zulkifli when asked to share of the main attraction in the area.
He believes that with the security presence in the area, it would boost the confidence of potential investors to do business there.
Located some 150 kilometres from the town here, Kampung Tanduo, where the Filipino intruders were first holed up since being spotted on Feb 12, will be permanently closed.
Most of the 15 houses scattered around the area were destroyed when the Malaysian security forces launched an offensive attack against the intruders on Mar 5.
He said villagers with complete documents would be relocated to a proposed 300 acres resettlement area in Kampung Sungai Merah, some 20 kilometres away from Kampung Tanduo.
“The new settlement would be equipped with basic facilities such as surau, kindergarten and clinic. Villagers are then assured with better security and comfort,” he said adding that the proposal will be further discussed with State Security Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman on Monday before submission for approval from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
“We are also proposing to erect a monument in the area to remind people of the event that took place there.
The incident has served as a wake-up call and indeed opened up the government’s eyes on the importance to beef up security measures in the district,” he said.
Zulkifli also described the incident as a “blessing in disguise” and has helped put Lahad Datu in the world map.
“It is sad that the intrusion incident has claimed a few lives, but it has finally opened the government’s eyes that we need better security here,” he said when met at Kampung Tanjung Batu.
The village household heads were allowed to join the assessment team and the National Security Council staff to assess the damage on their houses and village before they return home.
However, only villagers with complete documents would be allowed to return home, while those paperless will be placed in a temporary settlement.
Zulkifli said the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE), which is under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), will help boost people’s confidence on the security in the area.
SomeRM200 million has been allocated for security forces in ESSZONE, which will be utilised to build the personnel cabins in 10 districts, namely Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Kunak, Semporna, Tawau and here.
The ESSCOM was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak following the intrusion of armed men from the Southern Philippines here.
With it headquarters to be stationed here, ESSCOM covers districts of Kudat, Tawau, Kunak and Sandakan.