Jack
KENINGAU: There is a need for comprehensive action to revise and refine-tune the existing security system in Sabah waters, especially in Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) to curb the occurence of kidnapping, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth chief Datuk Jake Jikulin Nointin said.
He said the fact that the recent kidnapping of four Malaysians had proven the weaknesses of the existing security system in ESSCom, hence immediate action must be taken to rectify the weaknesses.
“There is a need to use information obtained from experience of past abduction as a guideline,” he said yesterday.
Citing an example, Jake said identifying the locations along the routes of the terrorists, intuders, kidnappers and put in permanent control centres in places at sea or at nearby islands.
“Use the allocation given to buy the best and latest equipment without compromising the quality.
“Place experienced and comptetent members to serve in the ESSCom area.
“If needed send them to train in countries which have the best and effective border regulatory system,” said Jake who is also PBS Liawan head.
The recent kidnapping case was very sad and should not have happened, he added.
He said hundreds of millions of ringgit had been allocated to ESSCom and the lack of equipment on the ground was no longer an acceptable reason.
According to him, the people of Sabah would not want to hear excuses and that they want security and sovereignty maintained in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Security should be given top priority so that people continue to have full confidence in the Barisan Nasional (BN) government,” he said when commenting on the kidnapping of the four Malaysians from Sibu by Sulu gunmen in the waters of Ligitan last Friday.
The four Malaysians, aged between 21 and 34 were among nine crews on a tugboat who were returning to Malaysia from the Philippines.
They are Wong Teck Kang, 31, Wong Hung Sing, 34, Wong teck Chii, 29 and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.
However, the five other crew on board, comprising Myanmar and Indonesian nationals were released by the armed abductors.
Former Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Justin Guka also felt that the existing system used by ESSCom has not been effective and unable to control the activities of the large sea areas.
“I would suggest the use of a mini satellite technology in the east coast to facilitate monitoring, supervision and speedy reaction using additional assets such as helicopters and jet fighters,” he told The Borneo Post.
He said with satellite technology, a 24-hour surveillance could be maintained accurately, quickly and effectively.
Parti Gerakan Youth chief Cleyrance Lee said with kidnapping still occuring in Sabah waters, it is highly desirable and imperative that ESSCom must strengthen security in our territorial waters more stringently and effectively.
“In my view, as Sabah’s territorial waters are long and wide, it should be effectively zoned according to its sensitivity level to facilitate control of activities,” he said, adding that sophisticated equipment such as radar should be used to detect suspicious boats in Malaysian waters for immediate action to be taken, such as intercepting, detaining and questioning the boat operator.
Keningau MCA chief Jack Chin reckons the presence of ESSCom should in effect reduce cross border crimes and kidnapping in the east coast and also avert the possibility of any intrusion.
However, these criminals and kidnappers have also taken note of the shortcomings and changed their modus operandi as evident by the recent kidnapping off Ligitan near Semporna.
“We hope the government and the security forces take note of the shortcomings and improve controls and support using new approaches to reduce or completely eradicate such incidents,” he said.
Melalap community development leader Simon Mamat urged the government to seek new approaches other than to expect ESSCom to keep Sabah territorial waters safe and secure in the light of the recent kidnapping incident in Ligitan.
He said the government should seek the cooperation of the neighbouring countries in dealing with these incidents in order to jointly maintain and monitor the maritime boundary from being exploited by intruders or pirates.
“Perhaps it is timely for the government to consider the safety of ships and crew by allowing them to carry arms as a precaution, especially for large commercial vessels,” he added.
Keningau Umno member Yazid Mohd Hasnan Tawik also proposed for other members of the security forces to be included in the ESSCom area.
“If need be, deploy marine police personnel in the area equipped with high technology and sophisticated assets. Importantly, we must also improve on our intelligence gathering, to stay one step ahead,” he said.