Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal
KOTA KINABALU: Critical security or military assets must be placed at crucial locations where its presence are needed most.
“Gone are the days when these critical assets are placed where they are not needed,” said Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
He added that he will raise this issue to the higher level to ensure that the limited amount of resources and funds are channeled to where it is needed the most.
Shafie also stressed on the need to restructure the security arrangement in Sabah, and said that the State government will give its critical input on ways to improve the state security arrangement in the near future.
He cited the Paradise Camp (Kem Paradise)in Kota Belud as an example of critical resources being placed where it is not needed.
“There are no pirates, no Abu Sayyaf there. Even the name is Kem Paradise,” he said at an event to distribute Hari Raya Aidilfitri biscuits and cakes donated by 35 bodies to security personnel who would be working during the Hari Raya celebration.
“But there are pirates in Semporna. I will bring up this issue to the higher level to have these assets placed in Semporna,” he added.
He went on to say that the people of Semporna wants to be close to the security forces.
“We want to make sure that this is one of the drastic changes that will take place,” he said.
Similarly, he also cited the Lok Kawi camp, which is sited just 20 minutes away from here.
“I know the city is beautiful,” he said, but reckoned that Sabah’s borderline needed the strong presence of her military and security frontliners to repel negative foreign forces.
“Their presence will be a strong force that will act as a deterrence to foreign negative forces wanting to penetrate our State’s security,” explained Shafie.