ESSCom tightens ESSZone security control during Aidilfitri celebrations
He said about 60 percent of the small-scale business activities in the main markets used to be dominated by undocumented foreigners.
The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) will beef up security in the waters off the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) during the Aidilfitri festive season.
Its commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said ESSCom would focus on strategic areas.
"The Aidilfitri celebrations will not affect the number of staff deployed in preventing cross-border crimes, armed intrusion and smuggling activities.
"Most of ESSCom's security personnel will not be celebrating Aidilfitri with their loved ones in the Peninsular or Sarawak for the sake of safeguarding the sovereignty and security of the people in Sabah, particularly in ESSZone," he said at the Al-Falah (breaking of fast) at Masjid Kg Silam near here last night.
Also present were ESSCom's Operation Centre director, Brig-Gen Datuk Tuan Roslan Tuan Ismail, Air Operations director, Brig-Gen Abd Razak Ahmad and Chief of Staff (Special Investigation and Technical) SAC Rosli Mohd Isa.
On the rationale in conducting continuous integrated operations in ESSZone, he said about 60 percent of the small-scale business activities in the main markets used to be dominated by undocumented foreigners.
Abdul Rashid said the ongoing integrated operations in six districts, Kudat, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau had succeeded in restoring the local people's dominance as traders and hawkers in the main markets.
"The issue of security should supercede personal or economic interests.
Local traders or business owners should not employ illegals as some of them act as informers for criminal syndicates.
"As such everyone should unite to ensure ESSZone is free of illegal immigrants," he said.
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