Cooperation with neighbouring countries in addressing security issues at the border should be intensified, said Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) Commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid.

He said although there were no difficulties in carrying out security operations jointly, there were some legal issues that needed to be looked into.

"The legal system in every country is not the same. Therefore, discussions between the countries should continue," he added.

He said this in his speech as a panel member at the National Council of Professors' (MPN) Knowledge Advocation Programme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here Thursday.

Wan Abdul Bari said ESSCom was constantly monitoring and coordinating operation activities and was not hampered by the various negative perception on the efficiency of the security agency.

He also advised resort operators and fishing boats to install sensors and communication gadgets to facilitate communications with the authorities.

A lecturer at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, UMS, Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Md Mansur said the distribution of economic opportunities among the people could instill their loyalty for the country, hence, making them reject all forms of external threats. Dean of Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Prof Dr Mohd Kamarulnizam Abdullah said the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) could play a proactive role in creating economic prosperity in the region.

The programme jointly organised by the National Council of Professors together with RTM, Utusan Malaysia and UMS, discussed the topic "Terjaminkah Keselamatan Sabah?" (Is Sabah's Safety Guaranteed?) by Mohammed Hisham Mohamad Salleh of RTM as the facilitator.

Speaking to reporters, chief executive officer of MPN, Prof Datuk Dr Raduan Che Ros said the outcome of the programme would be submitted to the relevant ministries and agencies to assist in the formulation of new policies. -- Bernama