ESSZONE STAYS STABLE, NO KIDNAP RECORDED SINCE 2020 - SHAMSUL ANUAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) remains stable with a record of no kidnapping incidents since Jan 15, 2020 until now, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.

He said the success was the result of the effectiveness of the integrated operations carried out by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) in close collaboration with the national security forces and Philippine authorities.

"Based on a study conducted by ESSCOM, the potential threat of militants and kidnapping activities in the country's border waters are at a controlled, peaceful level and the people of Sabah should not worry at this time.

"The development is aided by military operations and enforcement actions by the Philippine authorities which have weakened the activities of ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) or KFRG (kidnapping for ransom group). The influence and movement of the group to be active on the east coast of Sabah has also decreased at this time," he said during a question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying a supplementary question by Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) who wanted to know whether the establishment of ESSCOM had succeeded in improving the level of security involving kidnapping cases or other incidents recorded in the ESSZone from 2015 until now.

Shamsul Anuar said that based on ESSCOM records, since 2015, 20 ASG members have been shot dead while 17 KFRG members have been arrested.

“Several ASG sub-leaders have also been successfully arrested and shot dead and ASG cells were also destroyed in Pulau Timbang, Sandakan in May and August 2021 respectively through special operations coordinated by ESSCOM, causing ASG and KFRG to be almost paralysed in terms of their ability to carry out attacks and kidnappings.

“In this regard, a total of 41 people have been arrested for being involved with terrorist groups through ESSCOM special operations since 2018. Of these, ESSCOM has successfully dismantled five ASG cells that were planning to make this region their area,” he said.

He said ESSCOM is always vigilant and places the main level of security and intelligence monitoring against the threat of foreign militant groups and cross-border criminal elements as the focus of studies that are examined from time to time.

Meanwhile, Shamsul Anuar said the government's decision to place ESSCOM under the management of the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) on July 2, 2018 was correct, taking into account that the current threats faced in the ESSZone area are focused on cross-border criminal activities.

“Therefore, initiatives to maintain security and public order should be led by departments and agencies under KDN that have the expertise to enforce relevant laws.

"ESSCOM is faced with cross-border issues such as kidnapping, militancy, smuggling of controlled or subsidised goods, untaxed goods and the entry of illegal immigrants which are enforcement issues related to public order rather than issues of sovereignty within the country," he said.

He was responding to the original question from Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) who wanted to know why operations at ESSCOM were placed under the Home Ministry when the real threat in the area came from outside, especially from the Southern Philippines.

-- BERNAMA