Security forces in Sabah on high alert – Musa
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian security forces, including the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), are on high alert and ever ready for any eventuality amidst the ongoing unrest in Marawi City, Mindanao in the Southern Philippines.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said yesterday that the security forces, including ESSCom, had already taken appropriate steps to raise their level of preparedness, surveillance and intelligence in the State, particularly in the east coast region.
"In view of the (ongoing) turmoil in Marawi City ... the (Malaysian) security forces are always ready especially in strategic locations in the east coast for any eventuality," he said after chairing the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) Committee meeting here yesterday.
Stating that the meeting deliberated on the security aspects, Musa who heads the State Security Council, said he had also reminded all the security agencies to continue to work as a team and complement each other.
"This is very important so ESSCom and all the security and enforcement agencies involved are able to carry out their responsibilities more effectively to ensure that the element of threat in particular relating to cross-border crime and safety can be tracked and dealt with promptly."
Musa said he appreciated the preventive measures that had been implemented by ESSCom with other security agencies in order to strengthen and tighten the level of security in Sabah's east coast.
He said a series of integrated operations, namely the Ops Gasak were launched in several districts such as in Sandakan, Tawau and Lahad Datu in recent times.
The operations were aimed at ridding the State, especially the east coast region, of illegal immigrants and "I hope such operations will be continued and further enhanced," Musa added.
It was reported that battles betweeen the Philippine military and militants, have left 202 gunmen, 58 soldiers and 26 civilians dead.