KUANTAN: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has instructed the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to re-evaluate its monitoring and enforcement to bolster security in the state’s east coast.
The reassessment, he said, should cover the strength of its personnel, including those stationed at resorts dotting the area.
Najib said it was important that Esscom had a sound planning of its operations, including the deployment of security personnel.
He said the initial report showed that the number of security personnel on the ground was insufficient.
“This is among the weaknesses identified on the ground. (Esscom) has to identify the requirements at each resort in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) and this must be the main task of the new Esscom commander.
“What is clear is that we are facing a serious threat from groups from the southern Philippines. They have a cache of weapons, and could mount ambush points and bypass roving patrols by our security forces,” Najib said, adding that the attack on Pulau Mabul was serious, as it showed that armed intruders were able to penetrate Malaysian waters despite Esscom boosting security there.
He cautioned that the intruders might have received information from the locals, as the former seemed to know the movements of security personnel.
These local moles, he said, had strong blood ties with the militants and could move freely in and out of their relatives’ foreign base.
“...They (the terrorists) seemed to know the movements of Malaysian security personnel. They will move at night and seem to know the whereabouts of our people.”
Asked whether police had identified the group responsible for the attack, Najib said authorities were identifying them.
He said this after attending a briefing on the development in Pahang at Wisma Sri Pahang here yesterday. Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In the ambush on Saturday, which occurred at 11pm, eight gunmen, clad in black shirts and military fatigues, fired at security forces at the Mabul Water Bungalows Resort on Pulau Mabul.
The intruders had come from the direction of southern Philippines.
In the ensuing firefight, marine police Corporal Abd Rajah Jamuan, 32, was killed, while his colleague, Constable Zakiah Aleip, 26, was reported missing.
Esscom commander Datuk Abd Rashid Harun confirmed that Zakiah was believed to have been abducted.
Earlier, Najib, in a Twitter posting, expressed his condolences to Rajah’s family, adding that the government would track down and strive to rescue Zakiah.
Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the gunmen could have benefited from their own intelligence network that operated within resorts and other strategic places in Sabah. He called on resort operators to play their role in boosting security.
“It is imperative that workers and operators are screened to make sure there is no opportunity (for these incidents to occur),” he said, adding that the attack on Saturday was likely pre-planned, given that police had only recently taken over Esscom’s command.
“It was an opportune time for the gunmen to plan an attack. Their objective is not just to cause fear among police, but also to break their spirit,” Wan Junaidi said, adding that the government was working with the Philippine government to address security issues.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman pledged a thorough probe into the ambush, saying police would investigate from all angles.
“All motives are being investigated, including the possibility of revenge over heightened enforcement in Sabah waters. The culprits are getting more daring by the day,” he said yesterday.
Musa said more needed to be done in terms of stepping up intelligence and coordinating with Philippine authorities.
“There must be full cooperation and coordination among the police, marine police, coast guard and armed forces.
“I wish to assure that the state government will give the necessary assistance to the victims’ families during this difficult time.”
On Twitter, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the armed forces would be working with Esscom on the case.
“Will discuss (the case) with Esscom after I get back from Lebanon,” he said in reply to a question from a etizen. their spirit,” Wan Junaidi said, adding that the Malaysian government was working with the Philippine government to address security issues.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman pledged a thorough probe into the ambush, saying police would investigate from all angles.
“All motives are being investigated, including the possibility of revenge over heightened enforcement in Sabah waters. The culprits are getting more daring by the day,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said more must be done to boost intelligence-sharing and coordination with Philippine authorities.
“There must be full cooperation and coordination among the police, marine police, coast guard and armed forces. I wish to assure that the state government will give the necessary assistance to the victims’ families during this difficult time.”
On Twitter, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the armed forces would work with Esscom on the case.
“Will discuss with Esscom after I get back from Lebanon,” he said in reply to a question from a Netizen.
