Esscom conducting the Op Gasak Laut at the waters of Si Bogo, Pulau Bangkawan, Kudat on Wednesday. - Photo courtesy of Esscom
KOTA KINABALU: Five empty illegal structures were taken down and 41 illegal houses were given notice of eviction during the Operasi Gasak Laut Series 1/2002 in Kudat on Wednesday (May 18).
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) conducted the exercise at the waters of Si Bogo, Pulau Bangkawan there, as the illegal structures were seen mushrooming there, posing security risks.
“These structures can potentially be used as a staging point for cross-border criminals tempting to do kidnapping, robbing or smuggling at Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) waters.
“The notices were issued by Sabah Parks and house owners were warned to move or demolish their own structure before the second phase started when we start identifying every structure that needed to be demolished.
“Esscom is ready to conduct a swipe of any illegal structures along Sabah’s waters on the east coast, therefore any individual and group is advised to immediately evacuate and tear down their illegal settlements before the authorities take action,” said Esscom in a statement.
Public members who have information regarding these activities can forward them to Esscom Operations Centre at 089-863181 or through WhatsApp 011-63311072.
