Four more PGA posts to stop illegals
Published on: Saturday, April 27, 2024
By: Larry Ralon
Hajiji said four PGA control posts would be built this year, namely Pos Poigon Kalabakan, Pos Manalunan Sandakan, Pos Kuala Maruap Lahad Datu and Pos Gabungan Sungai Haji Kuning Sebatik Tawau.
Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State Government is satisfied with Esscom since it was formed in 2013 as the leader and coordinator of security which consists of the Armed Forces, police and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).
“This agency has curbed the invasion of foreign elements and helped raise the image of Sabah, especially the East Coast, as safe for foreign investors and tourists.
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“Esscom also assists enforcement and security departments/agencies such as the Domestic Trade Ministry, Customs and Immigration to curb elements of cross-border crime involving smuggling of contraband, controlled, subsidised and tax-free goods as well as the entry of illegal immigrants (Pati).”
He assured, that security at the maritime border, coastal and riverine areas, as well as the land border, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), is under control.
He told Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) a recent incident off Sabah was an isolated robbery attempt and that over the last five years only a few cases had occurred.
“Esscom and the security agencies are intensifying operations to track down the suspects who are believed to have fled our waters. All three suspects are criminals and on Esscom’s wanted list.
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Hajiji said the State Government remains committed to eradicating illegal immigrants and would ensure that all those arrested are deported.
He said the State Government through collaboration with PDRM and the National Security Council (MKN) Sabah plans to increase the General Operations Force (PGA) control posts to further tighten border control against entry of illegal immigrants.
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Hajiji said four PGA control posts would be built this year, namely Pos Poigon Kalabakan, Pos Manalunan Sandakan, Pos Kuala Maruap Lahad Datu and Pos Gabungan Sungai Haji Kuning Sebatik Tawau.
Another six are awaiting allocation approval. They are Pos Sungai Limau in Sebatik, Pos Bukit Keramat in Sebatik, Pos Long Pasia Sipitang, Pos Alutok Tenom, Pos Pensiangan Nabawan and Pos Pulau Bankawan Kudat.
“The Sabah Immigration Department is also active in conducting operations to arrest and deport illegals.
“As of April 15, some 2,603 illegal immigrants have been sent back. In 2023, some 8,678 illegal immigrants were deported, while in 2022, some 5,943 people.”
He said under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), the Home Affairs Ministry approved new strategic assets in the ESSZone, including construction of the housing complex and administration building of the 20th PGA Battalion in Beluran; construction of the patrol boat base of the 15th PGA Battalion in Sungai Seguntur, Sandakan and development of the Sea Surveillance System Project (Swasla) in Malawali, Kudat and Sandakan under APMM.
In addition, procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in open sea areas and drones in specific locations for effective security monitoring and detection in the ESSZone under the Rolling Plan 5 of the RMK12 (2025) was also submitted.
“To guarantee the safety and strengthen the confidence of visitors in ESSZone, Esscom proposed to introduce an app called ‘Friends of Sabah’, which is being developed by a local company without involving financial implications to Government and that can be used by foreign and local tourists,” he said.
Regarding the fire in Kg Gas, Sandakan, in 2018, the Chief Minister said the Government through the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) and the Sabah State Development Office (ICU JPM) held a series of meetings involving various relevant agencies for the implementation of the Fire Victims Home Reconstruction project.
He said the wooden houses would be according to the standards of the Poorest People’s Housing Programme (PPRT), which means that as many as 100 units would be built on the original site costing RM6 million.
The project would be implemented soon as possible.
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