Eight years on, residents still shaken by Tanduo tragedy

Said Malandi, 70, who lives in Kampung Sungai Bilis, Tanjung Labian, said his wife Halijah Abu Seman, 69, was traumatised by the incident, and became anxious every time she heard the sound of an airplane or helicopter passing above the village.

“The day before the clash between the security forces and the Sulu terrorists, we were instructed to leave the house, and my wife, two sons and I were placed at Dewan Embara Budi, Semai Bakti which is located about 10km from Tanjung Labian.

"We were housed in the hall with the other residents for a month, after which we were allowed to return to our homes, and my family and I were quite shocked to see the walls of our house riddled with bullet holes," the army retiree told reporters here yesterday.

Said received assistance from the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) to repair and uplift his home in conjunction with ESSCom’s eighth anniversary.

He also thanked ESSCom and the 13th Brigade Headquarters, Camp Cenderawasih, for their help in repairing the house, including works to change the roof, as well as painting and patching the bullet holes.

Meanwhile, ESSCom deputy commander Brig-Gen Hamzah Ali said various community-based activities were carried out by ESSCom in an effort to build good relations between the security forces and the local community.

"The security forces need the cooperation of all residents to prevent the threats and maintain peace and stability in an area. The residents are the best 'eyes and ears' of the security forces," he said.

Hamzah, meanwhile, said ESSCom also planned to hold a security workshop for the public at the ESSCom Office.