SANDAKAN: A standard operating procedure (SOP) for better tourism industry security maintenance in Sabah’s east coast will be drawn up as a guideline for the industry operators.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek said the drawing up of the SOP was among efforts undertaken to improve security in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
He said the SOP would also help create effective communication between the tourism industry operators and the security forces.
“This SOP will give a clear guideline on the role of all parties concerned in ensuring cooperation and commitment in security maintenance,” he told reporters after opening a workshop on preparing the SOP, here, yesterday.
The two-day workshop has 60 participants comprising tourist resort operators and representatives of the Malaysian security forces and local authorities.
Mohammad said in drawing up the SOP, feedback from various parties, especially the tourism industry players, would be taken into consideration.
“When the SOP is ready, it will be submitted to the Esscom Main Committee chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman before being tabled to the state cabinet for approval.” Mohammad said Esscom targeted the SOP to be implemented next year.
He said the guideline contained in the SOP would also be proposed for use by the resort operators as a condition for approving their operating licence in future.
Mohammad said the SOP was necessary as there was lack of attention given to security aspects by the resort operators in the Esszone.
This was indicated by the shooting-cum-kidnapping incident in Pulau Pom-Pom, Semporna, recently and also observed during visits by Esscom to the resorts, he added. — Bernama