After Lahad Datu nightmare
Villagers grateful to Esscom for return to normal way of life, rebound of tourist arrivals and economic activities
It has been 11 years since the Lahad Datu standoff in which Sulu invaders from the southern Philippines staged an armed attack on the east coast of Sabah.
Hundreds of Sulu terrorists were detected on Feb 11, 2013 at Kampung Tanduo, a small village at the far end of Felda Sahabat, about 120km from Lahad Datu. The incursion turned bloody on March 1 when a shootout between the insurgents and security forces at Kampung Tanduo resulted in the deaths of two Malaysian security personnel.
The standoff was known as Operation Daulat and ended on March 24. There were 68 deaths reported among the rebels, with over 100 Sulu terrorists arrested.
Lahad Datu has since moved on from the incident and bounced back in terms of economic growth. District officer Firuz Idzualdeen Benetty Mohd Dzul said the establishment of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) was a crucial step by the government in elevating the district to its present state.
He said with the constant presence of Esscom patrolling the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) and with the Armed Forces, Marine Police and General Operations Force maintaining security cordons around operation areas, a sense of security is provided to Lahad Datu residents.
“This is strengthened by the presence of the Royal Malaysian Navy and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency vessels at strategic locations, which boost confidence in residents and visitors.
“Various community programmes have been undertaken in Lahad Datu and social activities organised also signal that the district is peaceful and safe for tourists,” said Firuz, adding that visitor arrivals via the Lahad Datu Airport more than doubled from 121,237 in 2022 to 921,038 in 2023.
“Last year, we recorded 10,000 international tourist arrivals. Popular destinations were the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Danum Valley and the diving spots at Darvel Bay, also known as the Blue Ring Reef.
“The presence of tourists in Lahad Datu is encouraging. Despite our small airport, flights from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu are always full. The number of tourists taking road trips to the district has also increased,” he said, adding that the Lahad Datu Port has been receiving commercial vessels and passengers from Tanjung Silopo Port in Polewali Mandar, West Sulawesi in Indonesia since December last year.
“We have received courtesy calls from Singapore while representatives from Japan and other nations will be visiting Lahad Datu to explore the possibility of setting up factories here.”
Esscom commander Datuk Victor Sanjos said efforts by the agency to coordinate security operations involving police, Armed Forces and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency contributed significantly to the economic recovery of Lahad Datu, Bernama reported.
There were 25 kidnapping cases recorded in Sabah waters from 2000 to 2020, including in Lahad Datu, but Sanjos said the trend changed when Esscom coordinated Operation Sanggah and other operations with security forces in ESSZone.
“The frequency of integrated operations succeeded in preventing foreign threats from entering or gaining a foothold in Malaysia. Based on studies conducted by Esscom, the threat of militant or kidnapping activities in national territorial waters is under control,” he said.
Efforts by the authorities to maintain security in Lahad Datu were welcomed by the local community who now felt safe to conduct their daily activities.
“Previously, we were afraid to go out to sea for our daily (fishing) or go out at night as our village is near the sea. But with constant patrolling by security forces, (we) can return to our regular activities to earn a living,” said Mohd Shah Abd Hassan, a fisherman who resides at Kampung Bakapit, one of the villages in Felda Sahabat.