KOTA KINABALU: The people and business community in Sabah must work hand in hand with the government to overcome security issues in the State, said Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah. Gan said SUCCC would be tabling a motion at the upcoming 69th annual general meeting (AGM) of The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) this month to voice out security issues in Sabah so that the parent body could inform the Federal Government.
He added that 60 delegates from SUCCC would be attending the national AGM on July 24 and 25 in Malacca. “SUCCC will raise the issue of security in Sabah during the AGM because this matter is of utmost importance to Sabahans,” he said in a press conference here yesterday.
Gan pointed out that multiple abductions have occurred in the east coast of Sabah last year, with Chinese business people being the majority of victims. The latest abduction of the female co-owner of a seafood restaurant and a Sarawakian engineer in Sandakan, both of whom have yet to be released, came as a shock because the duo were kidnapped in the town centre, he said.
“SUCCC is very sympathetic towards the hostages’ ordeal. We request ACCCIM to urge the government to expedite the rescue of the two hostages.” Gan stressed that 90 per cent of the abductions involved foreigners who intruded into Sabah waters from the neighbouring country, which showed that the kidnappers have exploited loopholes in the security defence.
He said Sabah used to be known as a beautiful haven and to maintain the image of the State, the people and government must be united and work together to curb the security problems here.
“If Sabah is not safe, it will affect the people’s livelihood. If our society is not stable, investors will have no interest in our State. “These are all interrelated. Hence, the business community should cooperate with the government in restoring Sabah’s reputation,” Gan said. He also urged the Federation Government, Defence Ministry and Home Ministry to beef up security measures in Sabah and acquire the latest assets in order to effectively curb criminal activities.