LAHAD DATU: The People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA) will assist the security forces, especially the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), address the various security issues in the Sabah east coast.
Colonel (K) Dr Salleh Kalbi of RELA Silam said the agency would assist ESSCom to control and monitor strategic areas, including becoming its eyes and ears to increase public awareness to report any suspicious activities, including drug, smuggling and entry of illegal immigrants.
“The community should help and cooperate with the security forces to ensure that peace and welfare of the people is always guaranteed. The people should also monitor their neighbourhoods and provide relevant information to the security forces, including ESSCom, for their immediate action,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said the people should not blame the security forces in the event of any security breaches but should instead question themselves on their contribution to maintain peace in the country.
Salleh added ESSCom had done its best, including carrying out integrated operation on land and sea to curb the activities of cross border criminals, kidnapping and the entry of illegal immigrants.
“It is virtually impossible for ESSCom to control the wide expanse of the Sabah east coast and nearby islands without the cooperation and help from the public. Therefore, the people should play their role and assist the security forces, especially ESSCom, to address security issues and report of any suspicious activity that could threaten national security,” he said.
In the meantime, Salleh said he is strongly against any decision to dissolve ESSCom as the Sabah east coast needs such organization to mobilize and coordinate the various agencies of the security forces.
Salleh also called on fishing and tugboat operators not to take any risk by operating in the waters close to the neighbouring country as it can be exposed to various threats.
“The fishermen and boat operators should comply with the enforcement agency’s requirement to install AIS to assist ESSCom to monitor and locate their boats in the event of any untoward incidents,” he added.