Esscom to beef up assets to keep ESS Zone safe

TAWAU: The government has approved an allocation of about RM20mil to increase the tactical assets of the Eastern Sabah Security Command’s (Esscom) to strengthen security controls in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESS Zone).

Esscom chief executive officer Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Ali said he hopes the acquisition of the assets, which included speedboats, could be realised by next year.

He was speaking to BK at the Semarak Esscom 2023 programme in Kampung Batu Payung here yesterday.

The programme was held to enhance security awareness and increase the level of patriotism of residents in the ESS Zone.

Yesterday’s programme also involved the participation of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, which held a Rahmah Sales event at the venue, and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, which held the Madani Agro Sale.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, in his speech when opening the programme, said Esscom’s plan to improve the operations and control capabilities of the security forces is in line with the federal and state governments’ aspiration to boost the country’s economy, thus ensuring a prosperous society.

“The plan by Esscom includes the acquisition of tactical assets like a barge at Sungai Aji Kuning, Sebatik Island, which is located opposite the coastal area of Apas, and a number of rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) or speedboats to be placed in strategic locations along the coast and waters of Tawau.

“This is apart from establishing a sea checkpoint on Sebatik Island against non-conventional ships called kumpit that carry out barter trade and transshipment activities as well as the establishment of another battalion of the General Operations Force to strengthen the security forces’ capabilities at the country’s border with the Philippines and Indonesia,” he added.

Nizam said Esscom’s role was not only to control security but also to ensure the success of various government agendas as well as coordinate public action programmes with the ESS Zone community, including programmes to improve the socioeconomic status of residents.