KOTA KINABALU: An international sailing event starting in Sandakan signifies the district’s renewed appeal to visitors following previous setbacks due to cross-border crimes, says Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Commander Deputy Comm Datuk Victor Sanjos.
He said this after flagging off yachts taking part in the “Sail Malaysia Passage To The East 2024” in the Sabah east coast district on Friday (Aug 2).
DCP Sanjos said the annual event was a “blessing” for Esscom in particular and Sabah in general.
“The presence of participants each year proves that the eastern coastal area of Sabah, which falls within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), is safe,” he said while assuring participants of their safety.
“The Madani government, through the Home Ministry and Esscom, is committed to ensuring that safety levels remain at the highest standard and are a priority in the national security agenda, in line with the mission and vision of Esscom itself.
“We hope all participants of ‘Sail Malaysia Passage To The East 2024’ will have peace of mind and that they will enjoy the beauty of the hidden gems along the eastern coast of Sabah,” DCP Sanjos added.
The Esscom Commander also expressed his appreciation to all the participants for their cooperation with the Esscom escort boats.
Esscom is an integrated multi-security agency involving the police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and all three wings of the Armed Forces which operate within the Esszone.
The sailing event, a renowned international yacht rally, began its journey from the northernmost tip of Sabah in the Kudat district on July 26.
The convoy arrived in Sandakan on July 29, and will subsequently continue its voyage to the neighbouring Kinabatangan district.
The rally will conclude in Semporna on Aug 26.
A total of 21 yachts have joined this year’s event, with a total of 55 participants from 10 countries namely Australia, the United States, Britain, Portugal, the Philippines, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Tanzania.
An Esscom boat (left) escorts the international yachts as they set sail from Sandakan.
Also present at the flag-off were Esscom Deputy Commander, Brigadier General Mohd Ismail Kamarudin, Sail Malaysia Passage To The East 2024 managing director Sazli Kamal Basha, team leader David Anderson, Captain of the Sunrise III Russel Stephens and senior Esscom officers.
Last October, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said resorts in Sabah’s east coast were seeing more tourists with heightened security under Esscom, which has seen 40 kidnap for ransom (KFR) cases solved since 2017.
Saifuddin said since 2017, a total of 40 KFR cases involving the notorious Abu Sayyaf group had been solved either by their members being arrested or killed.
A dusk-to-dawn sea curfew was enforced in the Esszone on July 16, 2014, following a spate of kidnappings that saw the beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then Ted Fen and the killing of several others, including a policeman and tourists.
The curfew, which had been extended 220 times, has since been changed to the Esszone Movement Control Order (Esszone MCO) after the last curfew expired on Oct 17 last year.
The new order covers the waters of Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, Sandakan, Kinabatangan and Beluran, with Tawau, which was previously included, taken off the list as statistics showed a low threat level and satisfactory security control.
