Ghapur Salleh: Engage pro-secessionist East Malaysians instead of arresting them

KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities have been urged to engage with pro-secession groups such as Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) instead of threatening and arresting its members, said Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (pic).

He said the members should be investigated and charged if the allegation was true but some of them were concerned about the security of the state.

Abdul Ghapur cited examples from various news reports where nine people were detained in Tuaran while five others were detained in Lahad Datu, Sabah for allegedly involved in seditious activities.

"This is not a police state but this is an independent and autonomous state via Malaysia.

"Many Sabahan people are unhappy and concerned over the security in the state," he said while debating the motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong royal address, here on Monday.

Abdul Ghapur stressed that he was not supportive of any secession movement for Sabah and Sarawak but authorities should investigate the motives of the group involved in such activities.

"I know this is a sensitive matter but authorities must ask why Sabahan are resorting to such activities.

"Do not resort to threats and meet them instead," he said in reply to Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, who asked whether the latter was afraid of getting arrested under the Internat Security Act for making such remarks.

Abdul Ghapur also urged the federal government to further strengthen its assets under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to help thwart any attacks from outsiders.

"I have met with representatives from the Prime Minister's Department and raise my concern over the security in Sabah.

"Some of the criminals are using pump boats and we need to increase our assets to ensure the security are well protected," he said.