KOTA KINABALU, June 8 — Increasing the level of enforcement and integrated operations, intelligence, and building ties with the community are the three main focus areas to improve the level of security in the Eastern Sabah Secure Zone (ESSZone), says newly minted Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) commander DCP Victor Sanjos.
He said ESSCom was currently beefing up law enforcement, especially in the ESSZone waters to ensure that the area remains safe for shipping and fishing activities.
“We will also continue integrated operations at sea and land. I also intend to study and will discuss with the agencies in ESSCom on the most strategic place for us to place an agency or control unit so that an area remains safe,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Earlier, Victor attended the handing over of duties ceremony for the ESSCom Commander’s post, taking over from DCP Mohd Ali Tamby.
The ceremony was witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor while Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali was also present.
Mohd Ali will take up his duties as Kelantan deputy police chief effective July 3, a position previously held by Victor.
Victor said his side would also make use of the latest technology, including drones and security cameras, for enforcement purposes.
Meanwhile, Victor stressed the importance of ESSCom building a close relationship with the local community in the ESSZone area because they played an important role as the eyes and ears of the authorities to prevent crimes in the area.
Asked about threats faced by ESSCom, especially from the Sulu terrorists who once invaded the country in Lahad Datu in 2013, Victor said ESSCom and the national security forces were always on alert to face all kinds of threats to the country.
“So far we have not received any latest information (about the Sulu terrorist threat), in terms of external threats we are always prepared,” he said.
— Bernama
