BUTTERWORTH: The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will tighten its security tie-up with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and the police.
Deputy RMN chief Vice-Admiral Datuk Anuwi Hassan said safety had always been a top priority for seamen.
Anuwi said the navy would join hands with government agencies to support Esscom and police patrolling Sabah waters following rampant abductions and robberies.
“The navy will coordinate with agencies in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone.
“Our aim is to improve safety in Sabah waters,” he said when asked on the spate of kidnappings of fishermen in Sabah waters this year.
It was reported that police intelligence and Esscom officers had started investigations to find possible leaks of Esscom’s operations secrets.
This follows the latest kidnapping for ransom and robbery incidents at sea in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, amid heavy security forces' operations in the sea.
It was also reported that Esscom had streamlined its standard operating procedures in restricted areas that covered 11 islands and two coral reefs in the Semporna district.
The restricted areas included Pulau Sibuan, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Mantabuan, Pulau Sbangkat, Pulau Selakan, Pulau Tetagan, Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Kulapuan, Pulau Bohayen, Pulau Timba Timba, Sibangkat reef and Batura reef.
These areas have been identified as staging points for cross-border crimes in the waters off Semporna and Lahad Datu.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had approved the declaration of the restricted areas on Nov 13 last year.