ZERO kidnapping cases in Sabah this year is proof of the effectiveness of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) area, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
He said the improvement is due to the preparedness and measures taken by ESSCom.
“We are confident and believe that ESSCom along with the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency are always monitoring and prepared to face any possible occurrences in East Coast Sabah,” he told the assembly yesterday.
He said the steps taken by ESSCom included intensive and coordinated sea and air patrolling with the Philippines and Indonesian security forces under the Trilateral Cooperative Agreement (TCA) and integrated operation at illegal foreigner drop-off points.
Musa added ESSCom had implemented a Sea Check Point (SCP), mainly focused on restricting the entry of firearms and other cross-border crime elements, and planned a Road Check Point (RCP) implementation to prevent the entry of any elements that will compromise safety in the ESSZone.
At the same time, he said the RCP will play a role in the detection and capture of illegal immigrants involved in militant elements.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the ESSZone dusk-to-dawn curfew effectiveness.
He said this is proven by the goods price hike in Southern Philippines, which shows that the smuggling activities from Malaysia had been decreased.
He added fishing permits issued by local authorities had also enabled fishermen in the area to fish at night.
“Since the curfew was enforced in July 19, 2014, a total of 34,644 permits have been issued to the fishermen community,” revealed Musa.
Meanwhile, he said tourists had also been able to visit tourist spots in the ESSZone area.
“The placement of security personnel in the vicinity of the resort areas during the curfew period ensures the safety of tourists visiting the area,” said Musa.
“In general, resort operators, the locals, domestic and foreign tourists, and maritime community welcome the curfew and request that the curfew be continued in the future,” he added.
Musa said RM22.5 million was allocated for management expenses and RM44 million for development expenditures in 2017.
“Overall, the amount allocated for ESSCom management purposes that has been granted since its inception is RM71.9 million for management expenses while a total of RM219.1 million is for development expenditure,” he added.