Comm Hazani (left) and DCP Sanjos (second left) speaking to the press during Esscom Media Night on July 27.
KOTA KINABALU: A special drone unit will be set up in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) in efforts to strengthen its response to intrusion and other criminal activities.
Bukit Aman director for Internal Security and Public Order Comm Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said the unit, to be based in the east coast Lahad Datu district, would be deployed on a regular basis to help security forces mount a speedy reaction to any incidents.
He said he had discussed the matter with Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director Deputy Comm Victor Sanjos about the placing of the drone unit.
"I decided to station the team in Lahad Datu (Esscom headquarters)," he told reporters after attending Esscom Media Night here on Thursday (July 27).
He said marine patrol boats could transport the drones to specific locations in the event of any situation or emergency responses that needed them to be deployed, while their usage would be coordinated by the multi-agency Esscom team on the ground.
Comm Hazani said the police air wing unit has the expertise and skills to provide training to the drone operators.
"I am trying to place a drone unit in Lahad Datu under the air wing. We have the skills and one of our officers has qualifications as an instructor with international credentials.
"At the initial stage we will include the marine police in Lahad Datu," he added.
Asked about the state government's intention to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Esszone area, Comm Hazani said he was open to it.
"If the state government gives support, we can (deploy) the UAVs.
"UAVs need an airport, while the drone is a vertical takeoff and landing craft.
“If it loses contact (with ground control) it will come back," he added.
DCP Sanjos, who took over Esscom last month, told reporters that tourist arrivals to the islands in the east coast have increased about 80%.
"Looking at the data collected from the resorts, this is a very good indicator for Sabah, especially in the east coast.
"The number of foreign tourists coming to the Esszone area is much higher than local tourists.
"The statistics reflect the trust in the defence system especially in the Esszone,” he said, noting this was proof that the area was safe for visitors.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said in his speech at the media night that it was time for Esscom to enhance the use of UAVs as part of its assets to maintain security in the Esszone.
He said the adoption of newer technologies like UAVs would definitely boost surveillance and monitoring of the huge coastal area.
"With Esszone having a combined area of 10 districts from Kudat to Sandakan, it can be challenging.
"Thus, optimising UAV use will not only reduce the safety risks to our security personnel, but also increase the aerial domain we can patrol," he said.
His speech was read by Datuk Abidin Madingkir, the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister.
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