Joseph Pairin welcomes restructuring of ESScom

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KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has welcomed the restructuring of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Pairin said the restructuring of ESSCom effective July 15 shows that Najib is concerned and considered proposals from all parties on the security of Sabah.

“Sabah has many problems, including a large number of illegal immigrants. I believe they can only be solved by continuous monitoring by security forces and the higher-ups,” he said when presenting Aidilfitri cookies to police personnel at Sabah police contingent, here yesterday.

Pairin hopes efforts to restructure or beef up assets of ESSCom and ESSZone would continue to plug secret routes used by intruders to enter Sabah waters.

Meanwhile, Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Ramlee Marhaban was confident the restructuring of ESSCom would consolidate its operations and address intrusion and abduction in the Sabah east coast.

“This is a very positive step and eagerly awaited by Sabahans. It will have positive effect on foreign tourists and effective in addressing intrusion, abduction and other crimes,” he said in a statement, here today.

Ramlee hopes that locals would not be sidelined in the restructuring of ESSCom as the community wants Sabahans to play a major role in ESSCom.

In Sandakan, Beluran Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said Sabahans have high expectations of ESSCom to curb transnational crimes that threaten the safety of citizens and tourists.

“It is hoped these changes will address ESSCom’s chain of command, asset acquisition and effectiveness in dealing with security matters.

“I am confident this restructuring will enable faster construction of security posts for military battalions including in Beluran,” he said.

The restructuring of ESSCom involves the creation of two major components namely security and defence management and enforcement and public action.

Najib also announced the appointment of ESSCom Security and Public Order Division director, DCP Datuk Abd Rashid Harun as ESSCom commander in charge of intelligence, security, defence and operations effective July 15. — Bernama

ESSCom was established to protect the sovereignty and security of Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) following the intrusion by Sulu terrorists in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu in February last year.

ESSZone covers the 10 districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau. — Bernama