‘SECURITY STEPS
More assets in east coast since Lahad Datu intrusion, says deputy minister
AVILA GERALDINE LAHAD DATU avila@nst.com.my
THE government will pull out all the stops to safeguard Sabah’s east coast from intrusion. Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur said the government had put better security measures in place following the 2013 intrusion.
“Because of the event, the goverment established the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and placed more security assets in the east coast.
“The Tun Sharifah Rodziah sea base is equipped with high-tech devices, just like in the movies.”
Nasrun, who is also Silam member of parliament, was speaking at the Negaraku: Komuniti 1Malaysia programme in Bandar Desa Kenca, Felda Sahabat here.
Present were Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah cyclists “Pocket Rocketman” Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa.
A total of RM37,000 in cash, trophies and prizes were up for grabs.
Muhammad Khalid Nasiruddin won the men’s open category, followed by Muhamad Khuzairi Abdul Bakar (Nadiz Cycling Team) and Abdul Halim Hasan (Nadiz Cycling Team).
The women’s open winner was Nurul Suhada Zainal, while Nurul Alissa Mohd Azman and Nur Azreena Ahmad Junry came in second and third.
For the team category, team TSG won first place with CIMB Pro and PDRM coming in second and third.
Endurance cyclists rode 120km through Kuala Pilah, Batu Kikir and Simpang Pertang, tackling a good mix of flats, steep and rolling terrains, while the Challenge riders rode 35km through Seri Menanti, which was selected as it mimics one of the routes of the Tour De Langkawi.
In conjunction with the event, CIMB Foundation donated 200 bicycles to students from low-income families in the Kuala Pilah district.