Faces both internal and external threats: Esscom says deserves support
Published on: Wednesday, July 01, 2015
Pitas: The move to bring together various security and defence agencies under one roof, coordinated by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (EsscCom), was the right call, and it should be supported by all Sabahans.Esscom Chief Executive Officer Ruji Ubi said such a measure had never been taken by any region or state before this and as such, the operational effectiveness of Esscom should not be inappropriately attributed to only specific incidents. He said the kidnapping incident at the Ocean King restaurant in Sandakan recently, believed to be masterminded by insiders or illegal immigrants who were already in Sabah, was not a true measure of Esscom's operational effectiveness in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
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"The problems that we face in Esszone are rather 'unique and exceptional' compared to the security issues faced by other states in Malaysia, where Esscom not only deals with external threats, but also threats from within, particularly illegal immigrants who are believed to be collaborators of cross-border criminals."It must be remembered that before the establishment Esscom two years ago, the issue of the abduction and the influx of illegal immigrants in Sabah including in Esszone had already been hotly debated by the people of Sabah...this means the issue is not new," he said.Ruji was speaking at the Al-Falah (breaking-of-fast) event organised by ESSCom at Masjid Pangiran Haji Abdul Karim, Kampung Kalumpang, near here, Monday night. Also present were Esscom Operations Centre Director Brig Gen Datuk Tuan Roslan Tuan Ismail and Intelligence Deputy Director ACP Hashim Justin.Ruji said Esscom was established on April 1, 2013, to coordinate the operations of various security and defence agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in defending the sovereignty and security of the people of Sabah, especially in Esszone.
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He said Esscom will continue to handle all types of transnational crime in Esszone by increasing patrols in the waters and on land with the existing assets and forces.Esscom would also take into account the existence of collaborators who have been facilitating armed intruders and cross-border criminals in the area, he added.
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In this regard, he said, the cooperation of all parties including the public, village chief, chairman of the village development and security committee, as well as community leaders, was essential in terms of providing information, so that more effective action could be taken against the perpetrators.Ruji also appealed to residents of Pita to continue supporting Esscom in realising the vision of the government, which was to see the community in Esszone lead a calm and peaceful life.Meanwhile, Esscom will soon launch a large-scale operation to combat breaches in integrity among civil servants, especially those working in the enforcement division of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).Esscom Intelligence Deputy Director ACP Hashim Justin said it took a serious view of the problem and was determined to clean up the civil machinery of the enforcement division in Esszone. "Esscom now faces two security threats, one from outside and the other from within."The threat within is not only from the illegal immigrants, who become armed intruders and cross-border criminals, but also the 'enemy in the blanket' comprising civil servants (enforcement) involved in corruption and misconduct facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants and smuggling activities in the Esszone," he said.Hashim said the matter had been brought up and discussed at the highest level and Esscom together with MACC had agreed to launch the operation."As we know, based on past cases, many illegal immigrants who sneak into our country through the Esszone subsequently obtained MyKads, assisted by our own civil servants who accept bribes or 'coffee money'."It's the same with smuggling activities. These activities have continued until now because there are civil servants or enforcement authorities who don't have integrity. Remember that from today, Esscom together with MACC will hunt them down," he said.Hashim alleged the smuggling of petrol or diesel to the southern Philippines by cross-border criminal groups from that country was actually aided by corrupt officials here to enter and commit the crime in Esszone.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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