Shafie: No plans to disband or suspend Esscom in Sabah

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the reconstruction of the railroad, which had ceased operations for decades, would close the development gap between the interior and the urban areas.

KOTA KINABALU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will not be disbanded as claimed by some quarters, says chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic).

He said there was no such plans to get rid of the security agency, nor suspend its services.

"The Esscom is still functioning as usual," he said when asked about talk about the agency being closed after a security briefing here Tuesday (Jan 15).

The Esscom comprised members of various security agencies in Sabah to help safeguard Sabah's east coast, which has been and continues to be a target for cross-border criminals to commit crime including kidnappings, illegal entry and smuggling.

Meanwhile, Mohd Shafie urged all security agencies to be on high alert against threats to prevent crime, especially in view of the coming Chinese New Year celebrations.

"Not only those in the east coast need to be on alert, but everywhere in the state," he said.

He said security in Sabah cannot be taken lightly.

"Among some of the issues discussed during the meeting were on ways to improve and boost security in Sabah," Shafie said.