Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced that the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) will beef up its assets as the Federal Government gets tougher on preserving the security of the east coast of Sabah.
Accoding to The Star Online, Zahid said today that additionl attack helicopters, drones, and radar equipment with improved range capabilities have already begun deploying in the ESSCOM zone.
“The areas in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone, which stretches about 1,700km, faces continuous threats 365 days a year. There are intruders waiting for the perfect moment to sneak in,” Zahid said.
“Therefore, there is a need to beef up our security, in terms of our assets and omnipresence, to protect the sovereignty of the country, particularly the land of Sabah.”
Zahid spoke to the press after a high-level meeting at the Home Ministry on ESSCOM development and acquisitions.
Also present at the meeting were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
The Najib administration recently raised democratic concerns after it the Barisan Nasional coalition pushed for the passing of the National Security Council Bill, which would authorise a National Security Council helmed by the Prime Minister to impose martial law on any area in the country for up to six months at a time, with sweeping extrajudicial powers granted to security forces to allow them to detain, search, and even evict Malaysians from their homes.
