Stakeholders want better security in Esszone

TAWAU: After another kidnapping case near Pulau Pom-Pom in Semporna last Saturday, industry players in Sabah’s east coast are calling on the Federal Government to further improve security in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

Sabah Fisheries and Fishing Boat Joint Association chairman Arsani Arsat suggested that the curfew order in the area be reviewed and that Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) personnel patrol fishing spots in the zone twice daily.

“This will be more effective ... as of now, the fishermen fear to go out to sea although it is their source of income,” he said at a dialogue session with industry players to discuss Esszone’s security direction here yesterday.

According to Arsani, although there are currently about 800 commercial fishing boats in Esszone, 40% of them are inactive, especially those in Kunak.

Arsani also suggested a review of the installation of the Automatic Identification System on all fishing boats and tugboats in Esszone as instructed by the authorities, due to the operators’ financial capabilities.

“If possible, give them more space and time, it is not fair for fishermen who have yet to install the system to be disallowed from fishing,” he said.

At the same session, Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (Tawau branch) chairman Mohd Aziz Ali proposed that all directives given out in the area have standard operating procedures.

“This is important as we want those involved to know their roles and there will be no redundancy of tasks among the security agencies,” he said.

Mohd Aziz also called on the Government to invite industry players at every meeting involving the area’s security and policies.

Meanwhile, Semporna Local Tourism Operators Association chairman Karino Jalani called for at least two Esscom personnel to tag along in every fishing boat – similar to what was being practised among the resorts in the area.

He also suggested the setting up of an auxiliary security force comprising locals who were wellversed with the area, including spotting “rat trails”.

Meanwhile, Resort Operators Association representative Jenny Tong said Esscom had done a good job in making resorts safe from being the target of crossborder crimes.

Although the kidnappings were still occurring, she said that foreign tourists, mostly from China, Japan and South Korea were still visiting Semporna. — Bernama