SANDAKAN: No incidents of Kidnap-For-Ransom (KFR) have been reported in the Eastern Sabah waters since January 2020, thanks to the strict security measures under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
He said the achievement was not coincidental but the result of thorough planning and coordinated implementation involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), all operating under a central command system.
Saifuddin Nasution, who is also Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Border Security, said reports on enforcement, inspections, arrests and incidents are presented regularly.
"Previously, Kidnap-For-Ransom crimes were rampant. Zero cases have been reported since January 2020. This did not happen by default but by design. It is the result of deployment, monitoring, readiness and the capability of assets led by the police under Esscom,” he said.
He told reporters this after inspecting the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) programme involving police personnel at the Petronas petrol station in Jalan Bokara here Saturday (Sept 27).
Saifuddin Nasution said the government will continue to strengthen ESSCOM's role to ensure that the east coast of Sabah remains safe and conducive for economic development and tourism
He said this step was crucial as guaranteed security was a key factor in driving local economic growth, including the tourism sector.
He also said that the peace achieved has given the government the confidence to once again promote the tourism potential of the east coast of Sabah by inviting diplomats and foreign representatives to visit the area, including the islands.
"Countries that previously issued travel advisories due to past incidents now have the opportunity to revise their decisions, and indeed some nations have already done so," he said.
"This success allows us to propose to these countries to reassess their travel restrictions," he added.
Saifuddin Nasution said the impact of improved security on the east coast of Sabah could already be seen, particularly in the increase in international flight traffic at Tawau Airport.
"We have nine immigration counters there, but international flights from China alone have reached four to five daily. So, we can no longer cope with the situation as it is. That is one example," he said.
"The Kidnap-For-Ransom incidents that once frightened tourists away are no more. This reflects Esscom's high level of preparedness and effectiveness," he said. - Bernama
