LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) will intensify its engagement programme with grassroots community leaders to provide clarification on the latest security issues and drastic measures taken by the government to curb the entry of illegal immigrants (PATI) to Sabah, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
ESSCom chief executive officer, Ruji Ubi said clarification was important to enable them to understand the rationale behind the operation to detect and arrest PATI, including Ops Gasak and Special Integrated Operations, that currently implemented in some areas of ESSZone.
Ruji explained that the special integrated operation was launched following the Report of the Royal Commission Investigation on illegal immigrants in Sabah and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman wants a massive operation to be undertaken to combat the presence of illegal immigrants in this country, especially in ESSZone.
“The engagement programme under Program Gerak Saraf Perang Saraf with grassroots community leaders was also able to collaborate with people at all levels besides creating a sense of identity to jointly maintain national security.
“The task of maintaining security should not be attributed entirely to the security personnel, instead it is the responsibility of all society,” he said when delivering his message in conjunction with ESSCom Monthly Assembly, here yesterday.
Ruji said ESSCom creation principles must be maintained regardless of who is the leader as the goal remains the same which is to make ESSCom as superior security entities in the east coast of Sabah.
He also called on all parties, including public components and safety components to equally bear the responsibility entrusted to maintain the image of ESSCom as the body responsible for safety in ESSZone.
Meanwhile, ESSCom Commander, DCP Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the officers in ESSCom, including public safety components must unite to achieve the vision and mission of the government.
He also reiterated the commitment to continue ESSCom Special Integrated Operations for cleaning the ESSZone from the illegal immigrants.
“All parties have shown a strong commitment to the success of the Special Integrated Operations to hunt down illegal immigrants, especially in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Semporna, and our next target in Sandakan.
“No day without operation, we will carry out operations on an-ongoing basis,” said Abdul Rashid.
The assembly was also attended by the Head of the Administrative/Logistics ESSCOM Brig-Gen Subari Tomo, Deputy Head of the Intelligence, Brig Gen Dato’ Md Rahim Mohamad, Chief Operations Center ESSCOM Brig Gen Dato Tuan Roslan Tuan Ismail, Head of the Special Operations Force, SAC Mohamad Ismail, Director of Public Action Yusri Hashim and Director of Secretariat, Newmond Tibin.