Kunak abduction proves steps ineffective – MP

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KOTA KINABALU: The steps taken by the government to prevent abduction in the east coast of Sabah have clearly been ineffective, Tuaran member of parliament Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, said.

“I wish to point out here that the 15 steps implemented by the government through ESSCom and the security forces as disclosed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, when replying to my question in Parliament on Monday, were not successful,” Tangau said.

According to the acting UPKO president, he had in Parliament on Monday, asked the Prime Minister about the steps the government has been and is taking to prevent more abductions from Sabah’s east coast.

“I was informed that the government has, through ESSCom and the security forces, implemented 12 steps, which included to increase and replace assets of the police, marine and MMEA as well the armed forces, increase the number of security posts, conduct operations against illegal immigrants, set up five new police stations, engage with all stakeholders in ESSZone and also register all pump boats in the area.

“Datuk Shahidan added that the government will also be implementing new measures to improve the security level in Sabah east coast and these are, the setting up of a sea based outpost in ESSZone with the collaboration of Petronas, enforcement of designated routes for sea vessels entering Sabah and setting up of voluntary units in the armed forces, police, RELA and Civil Defence among others,” he said.

Tangau, however, was of the opinion that the abduction in Kunak on Monday has proven that none of the measures taken were effective or successful.

He suggested more intensive round-the-clock surveillance in the area and also the use of CCTV in all resorts as well as places of business in the east coast.

He was also of the opinion that abduction has become a form of ‘business’ for groups with interests in the area.

According to Tangau further, he believed that the activity or group(s) carrying out the abduction(s) may have had inside help.

“I am of the opinion that they could have been assisted by insiders as the recent case happened in Kunak which is on the main land and not on an island. How could outsiders from the Philippines know about the existence of such a place?” he asked.

Tangau said that this would only be possible if the insider had connections with people in the Philippines and if they are here in Sabah, then they would definitely have a MyKad.

“It is because of this that UPKO had, through the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the illegal immigrants in Sabah, suggested that all MyKads issued in Sabah be recalled and only re-issued to qualified Malaysians.

“This is one way to resolve the issue of MyKads being issued to foreigners who do not qualify,” he said, adding that the suggestion was made by the then UPKO president, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, and the party stands firmly behind it.

“Tan Sri Bernard, as the UPKO president, made the statement via the public hearing of the RCI on Illegal Immigrants, therefore that statement is an UPKO stand and it will continue to be so,” he stressed.