ESSCom takes over integrated operations

SANDAKAN: Beginning this month, the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) will take over the task of coordinating integrated operations in every district in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) which all along have been coordinated by the district police chief.

ESSCom commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali said this was to ensure the operations were implemented in a more organised and effective manner.

“Our focus is on re-enforcing law enforcement and crime prevention to ensure the security situation in the ESSZone is under control,” he said when met by reporters after the ESSCom meeting with Tanjung Papat community yesterday,

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah officiated the event which was also attended by ESSCom chief executive officer Noor Alam Khan A. Wahid Khan and Sabah National Security Council director Datuk Rodzi Md Saad.

According to Hazani, a large scale integrated sea and land operation would be conducted at the ESSZone as a measure to tackle the illegal immigrant issue.

The ESSZone covers the districts of Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Kinabatangan, Sandakan, Beluran, Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas.

He said ESSCom viewed seriously the presence of illegals in the inland and water squatter settlements.