High security levels in the eastern Sabah area the reason, says Shahidan

THE Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) is safer than the streets of Kuala Lumpur, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

This, he said, was due to the high security levels that were in place in Sabah, thanks to the presence of enforcement agencies under the state’s Eastern Security Command (Esscom). Shahidan said he visited the state regularly to ensure the areas were safe.

“I even went to a feared area known as the ice box without my security details because I want to make sure this country is safe,” he told Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) who enquired about the number of people who were arrested since the establishment of Esscom and Esszone following the Lahad Datu intrusion last year. He also wanted to know of the curfew imposed there.

“What is good about the Esszone is that we are on alert for any threats from outside forces and we are also able to keep close watch on crime within,” said Shahidan.

“So, in that sense, Esscom is safer than Kuala Lumpur.”

Shahidan said he chatted with a British tourist there recently and asked him what made him return for the third time.

“He replied that he felt safer there because there are security forces everywhere.”

Shahidan said the curfew imposed did not cause inconvenience or hardship to the people there.

“Special permits are issued to those who are conducting economic activities such as fishing and tourism in the area,” he said.

“The people there are happier because if there are unusual activities or movements at night, we can detect them,” he said.

Shahidan said next year, with the allocation in Budget 2015 for Esscom, the safety in the zone would be enhanced further with the instalment of radar equipment in the area that could further monitor movements there. Tourism activities in Esszone, he said, picked up recently as tour operators and resort owners were satisfied with the security measures in place.