RM18.3mil items seized by Esscom so far this year

KOTA KINABALU: Security forces in Sabah have seized about RM18.3mil worth of items in various operations at sea and land this year, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Jonathan Yasin.

He said the items were seized from the 730,898 checks on people, vehicles and boats by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) between Jan 1 and June 20.

“The success was also partly due to the air operation coordinated by Esscom with 377 patrols using aircraft belonging to various security agencies. The safety and peace in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone will remain secured through the initiatives by Esscom.

“I also encourage the private sector, non-governmental organisations and the public to give their continuous cooperation by reporting any activity that can threaten our security to the authorities,” he said at the Esscom excellence in service awards ceremony in Lahad Datu district on Thursday (July 7).

Also present were Home Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman, Esscom commander Deputy Comm Hamzah Ahmad and Esscom chief executive officer Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Ali.

Jonathan added that Esscom is always prepared to face any threat or intrusion by militant groups and external elements in the state’s east coast region.

“This is done together with other security teams through the land, sea and air operations in the Esszone.

“The public is aware that the safety and the people’s well-being in the Esszone remain stable under Esscom’s watch, with no security incidents recorded since February 2020.

“I hope the record will be maintained in lieu with the reopening of the country’s borders and influx of foreign guests to the Sabah east coast,” he said.

Jonathan said Esscom was also constantly sharing intelligence with security forces in the Philippines.