'Time for army to take over from Esscom'
Published on: Thursday, July 21, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's sole MCA Assemblyman said it is time for the army to take over from Esscom in the wake of continued kidnappings in the East Coast which "is destroying the economy and peace of the State as well as causing much anger among the people". He also called on the Malaysian Government to start adopting a tougher approach like other nations such as Indonesia, instead of negotiating over ransom demands."We must put an end to it," said the Luyang Assemblyman Hiew King Cheu (pic) in a statement, referring to the latest incident involving five boatmen from waters near Lahad Datu.
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"This is not acceptable and we must fight back, we cannot just sit still and wait for terrorists from the other side to come in and grab our people," he said. He urge the government to revamp the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and to allow the military forces to take over to protect Sabah. "We have to put our foot down now, to implement tougher defence measures and deploy more effective tactics."The military can declare war against terrorists who have been threatening our security and safety, while at the same time, the police can back down to carry out internal security duties," he said.
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He said the military is better armed, equipped and have the personnel to undertake the job. "The Indonesian government has done the right thing in sending their warship for immediate action to rescue their four nationals who were kidnapped from the Sabah waters.
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"To them, military action is the best way compared to negotiating and paying huge ransom to terrorists. "Many foreign countries also announced that there will be no negotiation and paying ransom. The more you pay, the more terrorists will be encouraged. Malaysian Government has to adopt the same ruling like other countries," he said. Hiew supported the suggestion for all ships and boats sailing in the East Coast of Sabah to report to the authorities, in order for their location to be monitored. "Communication with the authorities must be kept open to ensure that they are safe, and at the same time emergency action can be taken immediately," he said. Hiew also proposed that military personnel be placed on board the ships and boats for protection, as well as to patrol on land along the coastal areas and major towns. "Cooperation from the Philippines armed forces can assist in addressing this issue more effectively. "Permission should be granted to the Malaysian forces to enter areas where terrorists are hiding and holding the victims hostage," he said. "We must get this matter straightened out once and for all or else there will be no peace in Sabah. Everyone is now angry and worried what will happen next," he said. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee said it is time for the authorities to admit failure and go back to the drawing board. "Another cross-border kidnapping, this time in the vicinity of the infamous location of the 2013 Tanduo incursion, off the heavily guarded Felda plantations," said the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President in a statement, Wednesday. "In fact, this is the 'ground zero' that is supposed to be the most secure part of Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), and yet cross border bandits have managed to get away with five other Malaysian hostages. "Sadly, this casts a crisis of confidence on the capability of our security forces," he said. "Having imposed a night curfew, banned barter trade, put in security assets, launched a helicopter base at Lahad Datu, relocated fighter jets to Tawau and having spent hundreds of millions of Ringgit, the menace of cross-border kidnapping continues unabated," he added. "It takes more than a costly security infrastructure to combat such crimes in a volatile region where violence is a way of life, where guns bring prestige, where poverty is normal, where law and order is absent," he said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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