KOTA KINABALU: The Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) should be referred to as Eastern Sabah Safety Zone from now on, says Datuk Victor Sanjos.
The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander said this would be more in line with the three main domains under Esscom, which are land, sea and air, and not just a specific eastern area.
“We hope the public, especially the media and researchers, will start using the terminology - Eastern Sabah Safety Zone,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 8).
He said the term ‘Eastern Sabah Safety Zone’ referred to land, sea and air of Sabah’s eastern area.
Prior to this, the Esszone referred to 10 districts - Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau, following the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff and a spate of kidnappings and sea crimes in these areas.
Tawau was later excluded from the Esszone due to improved security and economic conditions.
