Esscom needs a larger holding centre for illegals
Published on: Thursday, April 02, 2015
Lahad Datu: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) denied allegations on the use of excessive force on illegal immigrants nabbed in operations launched at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).Its Commander, DCP Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, said Esscom had always complied with the existing laws as well as human rights principles in nabbing illegal immigrants."We have never harmed and used excessive force on the illegals during our operations, we are only carrying out our duties as practised in other countries, including our neighbours, as Esscom is responsible in ensuring that the country's laws, particularly immigration, are obeyed.
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"The operations launched in several towns in Esszone, especially at the market and focus areas, are aimed at detecting and reducing the dominance of immigrants who illegally conduct businesses, including selling smuggled items from neighboring countries," he said at a special gathering in conjunction with the second anniversary of Esscom.Esscom was established on April 1, 2013 following the Sulu terrorist incursion at Kampung Tanduo.According to Abdul Rashid, since the launching of the operations on Feb 28 this year, a total of 6,082 people have been screened in Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau. He said 1,269 people were detained and handed to the Immigration Department for further action."Since the establishment of Esscom and after the incident at Kampung Tanduo, there has not been any incursion by Sulu terrorists. But we were shocked by several kidnapping cases last year.
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"Ever since the implementation of the curfew in six districts in the Esszone, beginning July 19 last year, we have managed to prevent more incidents but our personnel never sleep and are always ready for any eventuality," he said.He also said the integrated operations and curfew would continue as the strategy is effective in reinforcing security in the Esszone and could ensure that the State will always be peaceful.
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Meanwhile, in a press conference after the gathering, Abdul Rashid said Esscom required a bigger holding centre for the undocumented foreigners detained in operations as the existing ones could only accommodate between 6,000 and 8,000 people at one time.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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