KUALA LUMPUR: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) should not be blamed for the abductions at Singamata Reef Resort, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Wan Junaidi, however, Esscom could not guarantee safety of resorts that operated offshore on isolated islands.
Wan Junaidi said operators of such resorts should beef up its security and communication systems.
The alternative, he said, would be to shut down so safety of their customers would not be compromised.
"If it were up to me, I would say these resorts on small, isolated islands should be closed.
"No one can guarantee the safety of these places when they are situated far off the coast. The police and military can't be there all the time.
"Esscom should also meet these operators to consider other aspects of security. In the last case, the resort even denied police access to their premises or helped with the investigation," he told The Star.
Chinese tourist Gao Huayun, 29 and Filipino worker Marcy Dayawan @ Mimi, 40, were abducted from the resort just two days after Esscom celebrated its first anniversary.
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