KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan welcomed the restructuring of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday.
Pairin, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president and Infrastructure Development Minister, said the Prime Minister had taken into account all matters and comments that had been raised by various parties.
“I feel this is a positive move forward as it has taken into consideration all that are needed to be addressed. For example, it has been announced that foreign boats must go through an identified channel and are registered, which means that we will have a more stringent control that is also more efficient,” he said to reporters after handing over Hari Raya goodies from PBS at the Lok Kawi Camp near here yesterday.
He opined that with the specific strategies and procedures, they would be better prepared to face the enemies of the country, and also stressed that periodic reviews must be held to further improve the operation of ESSCom.
“For instance, if there are needs for more assets or new strategies … we hope this will happen,” he said.
“The announcement has brought happiness to the people of Sabah because we have been facing this issue for a long time and we hope for a solution as soon as possible with the provision of additional assets that we need.”
In his speech earlier, Pairin said that the people were grateful for the contribution made by the armed forces to look after the security of the country.
The restructuring of ESSCom includes the setting up of two major components – security and defence management as well as enforcement and public action.
“The management component is geared at pooling resources of the security agencies to enhance operational effectiveness,” said the Prime Minister.
Najib also announced the appointment of DCP Datuk Abd Rashid Harun as the ESSCom commande who will be leading three special divisions, namely inteligence, security and defence as well as operations.
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 yesterday.
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.