Kudat badly needs full army base, says Minister
Published on: Tuesday, March 03, 2015
Kudat: Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri sees the need for a military camp to be built in the Kudat district to complement the Eastern Sabah Security Command's (ESSCom) security operations in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSCom). He said the security control operations which currently focused more on the state's eastern coastal region should be expanded to Kudat at this district, located in the northern part, was the main gateway to smuggling and kidnapping, besides other criminal activities.In this regard, Abdul Rahim who is also the Member of Parliament for Kudat, urged the government to consider the setting up of an army camp in Kudat district be included in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).ADVERTISEMENT "The existing camp here is a logistics camp for the 'Op Pasir Utara' and is not a full-fledged army camp. We want a full-fledged camp which can least place an army battalion to ensure security preparedness at all times in the northern area," he said.Abdul Rahim was speaking to reporters after attending an ESSCom security briefing and dialogue with local community leaders, here, Monday.He said the site to locate the army camp had been identified, namely Sikuati in Kudat, which had been gazetted by the Sabah government over 20 years ago."I had put forward this proposal and am still waiting for the decision as it has to be studied by the Economic Planning Unit and Finance Ministry. I hope it can be listed under the 11MP."ADVERTISEMENT However, he said, security posts had also been set up on a number of islands in Kudat district for the army to ensure security in the area. He said, Philippines' southern conflict puts Sabah's east coast under "permanent" threat from armed insurgents.
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He said the Sulu seas has always been a volatile area for Sabah, even dating back to the colonial times, but the threats have escalated in recent years with the growing number of insurgents in the troubled Philippine's Mindanao islands."The rise in number of insurgent groups in Southern Philippines has escalated the threats to us, and their cross border activities, including kidnapping for ransom, has affected Sabah permanently," he said.According to him, the threat was far-reaching as the insurgent groups have links to larger militant networks, including the Islamic State (IS) movement, and will pose a huge threat to the state if left unguarded.Kudat is part of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) that was set up in March 25 two years ago following the invasion by gunmen from Sulu that occurred in eastern Sabah.The Esszone encompasses the districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau."Currently, the focus for Esscom's security coverage is on Lahad Datu and Tawau and Kudat and the north is largely left on its own."But the northern district has been the doorway for several groups to enter before and if left unguarded, may be used as an entryway by criminals again," he said."We have submitted a proposal and it is being reviewed by the Economic Planning Unit and the Ministry of Finance so we are hoping to get an allocation in the 11th Malaysia Plan," he said.An area in Sikuati, Kudat, had been gazetted for an army base for some 20 years.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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A dusk-to-dawn imposed curfew in the seas on the east coast has also been effective in curbing cross-border activities, including smuggling of weapons and contraband, and especially kidnapping."It is very effective and we will keep it going for as long as there is still a threat. They have already thwarted several kidnapping attempts," he said.