KOTA KINABALU: The restructuring of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday, received mixed responses rom leaders and the public.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi said the move to restructure ESSCom was proof that the federal government was serious in handing the safety issues in the east coast of Sabah.
“The restructuring of ESSCom also shows that the federal government now realized the risk and danger the east coast of Sabah is facing,” he said.
The restructuring involved the setting up of two major components of ESSCom, namely the Security and Defence Management, as well as Enforcement and Public Action.
Under the Security and Defence components, ESSCom Security and Public Order Division director cum deputy commissioner of police Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun was appointed to lead four special divisions which include the Intelligence, Security, Defence and Operation divisions.
Kamarlin also commented that the restructuring was implemented at the right time as it was time to strengthen the security of Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
“We hope the restructuring of ESSCom could give a positive impact to security in Sabah,” he said while adding that cooperation from all parties, including the local community and security forces, was vital to contribute to the effectiveness of ESSCom.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement to enforce designated routes for boats entering Sabah waters, Kamarlin said the enforcement should have been implemented a long time ago as it would block illegal entrances to our country.
“With the enforcement of the designated routes for boats, people from the Philippines can only enter the country through the legal paths,” he added.
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister cum Sabah Umno Women deputy chief Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid sees the restructuring as a holistic approach by the government to enhance the safety and security of ESSZone.
“It is still not too late to take the initiative in overcoming kidnapping problems in Sabah. The kidnapping incidents are ‘wake-up calls’ to everyone, not only to the security forces but to members of the public,” she said, adding that security was a responsibility that everyone had to bear.
Sabah Umno Women chief Datuk Armani Mahiruddin also welcomed the restructuring as it would enhance existing policies and laws.
“We are all aware that since ESSCom was formed, many policies had been introduced. However, the policies that we have now may have loop-holes. Therefore with the new ESSCom structure and new policies, it is hoped that the security personnel would be more focused in implementing their tasks and keep ESSZone safe,” she said.
Armani also said the implementation of new policies would not have any effect on the security of the east coast of Sabah if it did not receive any support from Sabahans.
“I urge the people of Sabah to believe in our security forces,” she added.
Another positive comment was made by a local, Oliver Brendan, who said the appointment Abdul Rashid was good and timely and he expressed hope that with the appointment, a more comprehensive and effective plan would be put in place to protect Sabah’s east coast from kidnapping threats as well as from armed intruders.
“I also hope with this new appointment, a better coordination between all security agencies will see more assets being deployed to enhance border patrols, especially around Sabah’s vast coastline. I think more frequent patrols, both by sea and air, will be quite effective to curtail any foreign threats,” he added.
Oliver also said the new appointment could help the public regain confidence with ESSCom which had thus far been seen as ineffective in its role.
“It is my hope as a Sabahan that this new ESSCom commander will address any previous weaknesses and do what is necessary to enhance Sabah’s security in the east coast, and put an end to the cross border kidnapping threat that is affecting our tourism industry as well as investors’ confidence,” he said.
ESSZone Youth Community Associations chairman Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto said vital positions in ESSCom should be held by Sabahans.
“A Sabahan, especially those from the east coast of Sabah, would better understand the local socio-culture, language and dialects, domestic needs, socio-politics as well as other elements,” he said.
Zaki said a Sabahan would adapt to the surroundings faster and build relationship networks easier than those not from Sabah.
“We welcome the restructuring of ESSCom but we hope the restructuring would consider the local community’s demand and sensitivity, who want to see a local to be given space and opportunity to play a role in ESSCom,” he said.
Datuk Patrick Sindu, a Sabah social activist, said the drastic restructuring of ESSCom should not be eliminating personnel from Sabah serving on ESSCom.
“We welcome the restructuring of ESSCom, but not to the extent that most of the officers from Sabah are eliminated from ESSCom. I hope this will not happen as kidnapping cases have been on-going in Semporna and Lahad Datu since 2000. The restructuring of ESSCom does not 100 per cent guarantee that there will not be another kidnapping case,” he said.
Patrick also expressed hope that the chief secretary to the government of Malaysia would take into consideration Sabahans’ rights in restructuring ESSCom, especially the civil servants.
The same comment also came from former PAS member of parliament candidate Hamzah Abdullah, who said important positions in ESSCom should be held by a Sabahan, as a local leader would understand ESSZone and the surrounding communities better.
Hamzah also said the appointment of a deputy commissioner in ESSCom would bring no difference.
“Whether or not it is the police who is in the position does not matter. ESSCom should increase the effectiveness of our security’s intelligence division as we now have ‘insiders’ who leak vital information to the intruders,” he said while emphasizing that ESSCom should gear up its intelligence team.