KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has called on the people of Sabah to continue showing their support and have confidence in the capability of the security forces in dealing with the kidnapping and security issues in the east coast of the state.
He stressed that all the agencies involved were fully committed and would not compromise in their efforts to ensure the safety of Malaysians and tourists in the area where a bloody incursion and a series of kidnapping by armed groups from the Philippines have taken place since last year.
“I stress here that we will not compromise when it comes to security and we will continue to mobilize our assets, including the ESSCom (Eastern Sabah Security Command) to protect our sovereignty and ensure our waters are free from any security threats and kidnapping,” he said.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim at Sri Gaya yesterday, Musa said the state would discuss further with the federal government to fine tune immediate security measures that have been identified for ESSCom.
“I hope all the efforts that are being taken will be able to restore peace and security in Sabah to the highest level,” he said.
Musa, who is also chairman of ESSCom and the State Security Council (SSC), said he had discussed with the two federal ministers various security efforts currently being implemented as well as additional measures that had been proposed to further strengthen security in the state.
He said the meeting, which was also attended by ESSCom director Mohamad Mentek, state police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib, SSC secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Wahab and Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun had among others discussed operational aspects, assets and personnel deployment and coordination of the agencies involved.
“We have also touched on the drastic measures that we have agreed on during the State Security Committee (JKKN) meeting two days ago. As you know, we have proposed to the federal government nine security measures to be implemented in Sabah and the Prime Minister in particular was looking at this matter very seriously.
“He had directed two senior federal ministers to come and discuss with me further on this and last night, Datuk Seri Zahid had presented to us what the immediate efforts are that have been taken, in line with the Security Committee’s proposal,” he said.
Asked about the possibility of imposing curfew on high-risk spots within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), Musa said this might be done soon in several areas, including in Lahad Datu, Semporna and Sandakan.
He said the move was still being studied and should it be implemented, it might include resorts and other tourism spots along the east coast.
“We are looking at not allowing entry to certain areas at certain particular time. This will cover everyone, which means nobody will be allowed to enter during the curfew. This is important and resort operators should implement this too,” he said.