Datuk Dr. Jamaluddin Mohd. Ali (left) and Datuk Victor B. Sanjos (centre) during a discussion with security officials at the Sabah Information Department.
KOTA KINABALU: The Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZone) has remained free from kidnapping incidents for the past five years, with the last case recorded on Jan 15 Jan, 2020.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos attributed this to strategic security reinforcements and heightened control measures in key areas.
“This is the result of enhanced strategies and security reinforcements in more controlled and safer locations. It is also due to the cooperation between the community and various agencies,” he said.
He noted that the improved security situation has led to a rise in both domestic and international tourist arrivals in the region.
“I have also received information that more foreign and domestic investments will be directed towards the east coast of Sabah. Looking ahead, Esscom plans to incorporate advanced border security technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and establish new security posts to further strengthen our defences,” he added.
Victor was speaking to the media after paying a courtesy visit to Sabah Information Department Director Jainisah Mohd Noor at the Communications Ministry Integrated Complex here on Wednesday.
He emphasised that the visit aimed to foster synergy and collaboration, particularly in strategic areas.
“Esscom greatly values the expertise of the Sabah Information Department (Japen) in effectively communicating the actual security situation in Sabah, especially in ESSZone, through Japen's initiatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Esscom chief executive officer Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Ali highlighted that aside from security operations, the agency is also focusing on key collaborative efforts with various government departments and community engagement programmes.
“Esscom will continue several community programmes from last year and introduce new initiatives, including the ‘Kampung Angkat Madani’ programme, with Kampung Inderasabah in the Apas constituency selected as the pilot location,” he said.
Also present were Esscom Deputy Commander Brigadier General Mohamad Ismail Kamarudin, Esscom Secretariat Services Division Director Imelda Godon, Sabah Japen Community Development and Communication Services Division Deputy Director Peter Tong, Japen Sabah Cyber Media Division Deputy Director Geraldine Voo, and Japen Sabah Secretariat Unit Deputy Director Siti Mariam Aziz Rashid.
The last recorded kidnapping-for-ransom incident in the ESSZone occurred off Pulau Tambisan, Lahad Datu, where five Indonesian fishermen were abducted by armed assailants.
Swift security action in the 2020 incident led to the neutralisation of three criminals involved.
Between 2000 and 2020, a total of 25 kidnapping cases were recorded in Sabah waters, including in Lahad Datu.
Esscom was established on March 7, 2013, in response to the Lahad Datu incursion by armed militants from the self-proclaimed Sultanate of Sulu in February 2013.
Its primary mission is to strengthen security in eastern Sabah, particularly in the ESSZone, which covers 10 districts along Sabah’s east coast; integrating various security agencies, including the police, military, and maritime enforcement, to combat cross-border crimes such as kidnappings-for-ransom, smuggling, and terrorism threats.
