Interpol gives Esscom access to its data

KOTA KINABALU: Interpol has granted the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) access to over 75 million data of “persons of interest” on its system.

Interpol Operational Support and Analysis director Harald Arm said this was to ensure that information acquired during Ops Maharlika, which will commence from Nov 1 to 15, could be shared accurately.

He said it was also to ensure that vital policing information around the world would be accessible to frontline officials in real time.

Asia, like all other regions in the world, continued to be a target of terrorists and Ops Maharlika was one way for Interpol to work with participating nations in getting information on terrorism activities, he said after the launch of the operation yesterday.

This operation would involve authorities from the Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia, Arm said.

He said no one region could address these issues alone.

“Collaborated operations are important in streamlining the efforts and actions,” he said.

“Operations such as Maharlika help these nations secure their borders and movement of terrorists and materials that could be used in attacks.”

This was for global security, Arm said, adding that Interpol had information of over 75 million “persons of interest” and had conducted some three billion checks in 2016.

Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah said the operation, to be conducted at the respective participating nations, was one way to show terrorists that countries were working together to fight them.

“We will be getting assistance in terms of training, funding and assets (gadgets that can be used to check on status of individuals on the spot) during these two weeks,” he said.

He added that they might consider carrying out follow-up operations and actions after this.

For Sabah, the focus point is the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

On the return of Malaysian terrorist fighters from Syria and Raqqa, he said they already had a protocol in place for them.

“Action will be taken against those planning to return.

“We have laws to deal with them,” he said.