SANDAKAN: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will not rest on its laurels in ensuring that there are no kidnap-for-ransom cases.
Its successes include operations against cross-border-crime criminals, such as Masurani Insawani @ Tarab, who was shot dead at Kunak waters on Sept 29, and Abu Paliyak, who was killed in Silam waters on Dec 4.
Esscom, which has support from the state and Federal governments, will continue to conduct more initiatives to boost security. These include the implementations of road and sea checkpoints to prevent security threats from entering the state
A road checkpoint is expected to be mounted in Kalabakan by the end of this month. Another would be set up in Telupid between next month and May.
Both checkpoints are located at main routes that connect the east and west coasts of Sabah, which are used by criminals.
Esscom Commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the checkpoints, which would involve security and enforcement agencies, would be implemented permanently at the routes.
“We need to expedite the checkpoints in Kalabakan and Telupid as both routes link the east and west coasts.
“The routes are being used by cross-border criminals there.
“Although the situation in the east of Sabah is under control, the effort to boost security is ongoing as the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) is exposed to threats from neighbouring countries,” he said.
Hazani said problems related to smuggling and illegal immigrants would continue to be Esscom’s main priorities due to the short distance between Esszone and the Philippines.
“The sea checkpoint aims to prevent the entry of weapons and criminal elements by inspecting vessels entering the state.
“It will be implemented this year.”
He said laws were being looked into so that they could be used at the checkpoints.
He said Esscom was confident that the communities in Esszone would positively accept the new initiatives.