LAHAD DATU: The State Government is urged to intensify surveillance of the national border through the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) in an effort to prevent invasion attempts.
Segama Assemblyman Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said the existing security personnel have carried out their respective responsibilities as best as possible but there are several other aspects that need to be improved so that no more unwanted incidents occur in the future.
“Among them is the issue of lack of assets and personnel who oversee the country’s borders and waters, especially on the east coast of Sabah.
“The Government needs to take immediate action so that the issue of aggression like what happened in Kunak waters resulting in the injury of security personnel on April 7 does not happen again.
“Even though such incidents are rare, they still show proof that our country’s borders and sovereignty are easily violated by foreign criminals,” he said.
He said this when met by the media at the Segama State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Open House on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Mohamaddin praised the bravery of two members of the Maritime Enforcement Agency who were injured when they were shot while carrying out a Special Op Pagar Laut patrol recently.
According to him, those involved in the shooting are national heroes who need to be rewarded.
Maritime Petty Officer Zainal Abad Komel, 45, was injured in the left eye in a shootout with pirates at Kampung Pangi in Kunak. During the 8.40am incident, another personnel, Senior Marine Prayrie De Cuella Jimin, 35, was injured in both hands while returning fire to the criminals involved.
Four other Maritime personnel were unharmed.
