LAHAD DATU: Malaysian security forces are in full control of Sabah's east coast, a year after they defeated Sulu militants who intruded and occupied Tanduo here on Feb 12 last year.
"We are in control,'' Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar declared here on Friday after a three-day working visit to security outposts at islands dotting the state's east coast with southern Philippines.
Khalid said that various measures taken to beef up security by police, armed forces and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had put them in a position to check on armed intrusions whether by militants or criminals.
He said the public and tourist need not worry as security decisions that were made had been implemented,'' he said, adding that they were able to prevent intrusions in late December and January in island areas close to the border due the preparedness and alertness of security personnel.
Speaking to reporters after awarding 233 Pingat Kedaulatan Negara for police personnel who served under Ops Daulat last year, Khalid said that the Prime Minister has approved the setting up of a second General Operations Force (GOF) brigade in Sabah.
The Brigade has three battalions and would be deployed in Sandakan, northern Kudat and Beluran districts, which are under the 10 districts of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
He said the second Brigade would be headquartered in Sandakan.
"This would mean that Sabah will have two GOF brigades with the first one already based in Kota Kinabalu,'' he said, explaining that they hoped to have the second brigade operational by year-end.
He said the additional brigade would further boost security in the east coast.
On the presentation of medals for those who served, Khalid said that it was being done in stages in appreciation for all those who served under the successful Ops Daulat operations that saw security forces defeating and flushing out Sulu militants.
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