ESSCom prepared to face second wave of intrusion by Sulu militants

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) is always prepared to face any possibilities, including the much-speculated second wave of intrusion by Sulu militants, ESSCom commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said.

He said ESSCom security team had been monitoring closely the situation and scrutinising all information concerning the issue.

"We have heard the rumours about the second wave of militant intrusion. However, our security team is monitoring the situation and have taken note and shared intelligence information on the issue with several neighbouring countries.

"We have to be on alert and always prepared to face any possibilities," he told participants of ESSCom-Media Visit to Kampung Tanduo, about 150km from here on Friday.

Also present were ESSCom chief executive officer Ruji Ubi and ESSCom Logistic and Administration director Brig Gen Subari Tomo.

Abdul Rashid said ESSCom had also taken various preventive measures to face possible threats, including by topping up its defence and security assets, as well as the number of staff.

"ESSCom has also taken the initiative to improve the level of preparedness of its security team by carrying out several exercises, such as the Op Pasak 1 and II which were held in Sandakan and Tawau recently.

"These exercises have exposed our team to techniques and measures to be taken should an intrusion occur in strategic locations, such as police stations, airports and major towns in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone)," he said.

He said that after the intrusion tragedy in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, two years ago, no other intrusion of Sulu militants was reported in Sabah.

On kidnapping issue in ESSZone, Abdul Rashid said ever since the dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in ESSZone, the situation had improved and the majority of the people had agreed that the curfew should continue.

"Kidnapping issue is not new in ESSZone. Several kidnapping cases have occurred since early 2000 and ESSCom is very much concerned about this issue.

"We have also forged cooperation with all defence and security agencies to curb kidnapping incidents," he said.

On the integrated operation to hunt down illegal immigrants in ESSZone, Abdul Rashid said the operation was successful and highly effective, especially in reducing the domination of illegal foreign hawkers and petty traders in major towns, especially Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Tawau and Kunak.