#LahadDatu ESSCOM WAS SET UP TO PROTECT THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE COUNTRY

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will announce fresh details on the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) today.

The Prime Minister will give in-depth information on the huge security area, covering a coastline of some 1,400km from Kudat to Tawau, in conjunction with the 206th Police Day.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said this at a press conference after officiating at the "soft launch" of the Sembrong Giat Mara community centre in Taman Dri Lambak here yesterday.

Esscom was set up to protect the sovereignty of the country following the intrusion of Sabah by armed Sulu terrorists in early February but there were also calls for the command to protect the environment that is rich in marine and small wildlife.

Hishammuddin, who is Sembrong MP, said his ministry had been working closely with the Philippines' National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) and special branch to exchange intelligence about the Lahad Datu invasion.

"Such exchange is practised by Malaysia with other countries as well, such as with Indonesia to monitor groups like the Jemaah Islamiah and Darul Islam (a group aiming to set up an Islamic state in the republic).

"The armed terrorist invasion of Lahad Datu was a wake-up call for the nation.

"This is a way for us to empower and strengthen our agencies based on new challenges that the country faces.

"This is something we have to overcome, not to politicise, point fingers or ignore the fact that our armed forces sacrificed their lives to fight for our land and people," he said.

Hishammuddin said his ministry had done the necessary groundwork for Esscom, such as identifying five Customs, Immigration and Customs (CIQ) complexes and seven new police stations, including those in Bum Bum, Gaya and Pulau Banggi.

Credit to Asiaone News