LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) will be taking over Ops Daulat that was launched by the government to defend the country’s sovereignty during the armed intrusion at Lahad Datu.
Ops Daulat would be renamed Ops Sanggah and will be led by ESSCOM to ensure the safety and well-being of the people, especially in the east coast areas.
Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who witnessed the handing over of Ops Daulat from Armed Forces Chief, General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to Director of ESSCOM, Datuk Mohamad Mentek, said, the sacrifice and the service of the security forces and all parties involved in Ops Daulat are greatly appreciated.
He said the cooperation and commitment from all parties during Ops Daulat should be continued and enhanced in Ops Sanggah to ensure the safety of the people is assured.
“Responsibility of protecting the country should not be attributed to the security forces alone, this responsibility should be implemented by all levels of society in order to preserve our national sovereignty.
“The people should play their role as the eyes and ears of the government in providing information to the security forces so that immediate action can be taken,” he said.
Musa, in a press conference after launching a special parade for the Ops Daulat and presenting medals of national sovereignty to 108 individuals, said, the state government will continue to work together with the federal government and the security forces to ensure the dignity and integrity of the country will continue to be maintained
He also urged the people to foster and enhance their patriotism to avoid such incident in the future.
Meanwhile, in explaining the implementation of Ops Sanggah, Armed Forces chief, General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, said, he believed ESSCOM is ready to perform and carry out the operations more effectively.
He said the operation is still the same, crime prevention activities, including patrols, intelligence and monitoring will be carried out as usual and will be enhanced from time to time.
“The existing manpower and assets in the ESSCOM areas will be maintained. However, we will bring more members of ATM and PDRM to the ESSCOM area while waiting for the establishment of five battalions of security forces in the east coast of Sabah.
“A unit of ATM will be set up in the Felda Sahabat area comprising 600 to 800 members with adequate equipment, while four other battalions will be set up in the other ESSCOM areas,” he added.
Meanwhile, the special parade in conjunction with Ops Daulat was participated by sixteen officers and 415 personnel from various agencies including ATM, PDRM, Civil Defense Department, Rela and others.
Also present during the special parade were, Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Sabah State Secretary, Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.