KUDAT (Sabah): The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) is to launch a special integrated operation soon to rid the Kudat district of illegal immigrants, Esscom CEO Ruji Ubi said today.
The focus of the operation would be the water village, market area and town centre, he said.
“Although northern Sabah, in particular Kudat, is seen to be calm and peaceful, we cannot remain complacent. What more with the abduction in Sandakan last night.
“Kudat, which is the gateway to Kota Kinabalu (by land) is also vulnerable, not only to illegal immigrants but also to cross-border criminals. Still water runs deep,” he said.
Ruji spoke at a meeting between Esscom and Kudat government officers and community leaders at the district office here. Kudat district officer Sabdin Ibrahim and Esscom Special Forces director SAC Mohammad Ismail were also present.
Ruji said similar operations were ongoing in five other districts, namely Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Sandakan, which had resulted in local traders returning to dominate small business, particularly in the main urban markets.
“Our target is to rid the whole Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) of illegal immigrants. We have to learn from the Kampung Tanduo incident and the domination of the Lahad Datu market by illegal immigrants prior to the Kampung Tanduo incident (in early 2013).
“At one time, the Lahad Datu market was dominated by hawkers and traders from among illegal immigrants. We cannot allow a repeat of this situation in the other town centres in the Esszone,” he said.
Ruji appealed to the people of Sabah, particularly those in Kudat and nearby districts, to extend their full support to Esscom during the operation.
He said the operation was being undertaken as a follow-up to the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah and a directive of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is also chairman of the Esszone committee.
Ruji said Esscom would also continue to step up security control in the waters of the Esszone to check smuggling and cross-border crime, especially abductions.
“Although the security situation is generally under control in the Esszone, we cannot be complacent but must be on the alert for any eventuality,” he said.
The Esszone stretches 1,733.7 km from the Kudat to the Tawau districts and also encompasses the districts of Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak and Semporna. -Bernama