KOTA KINABALU: Resorts on Sabah’s east coast are experiencing an increase in tourist numbers due to heightened security measures under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), according to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He stated that records of arrivals from January to September show that an estimated 156,363 foreign tourists have visited the five Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) destinations of Kudat, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, and Semporna.
From 2017 to the present, 40 cases of kidnap-for-ransom incidents involving the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group have been solved, leading to the dismantling of the gang, said Saifuddin. He also emphasized that the establishment of Esscom has significantly enhanced security in the Esszone region, which has positively influenced the increase in tourism. Saifuddin reassured the public that Sabah is safe and under control, as efforts to enhance safety through enhanced border control operations are ongoing.
In addition to these security measures, the Sabah Sea Surveillance System Project (Swasla) Phase 2 is being developed at the Sandakan Area Control Centre (ACC) and the Remote Sensor Site (RSS) at Malawali Banggi Kudat Island. Moreover, a maritime base is under construction in Semporna and a forward operations base on Mabul Island. The General Operations Forces (GOF) border control posts in the interior areas of Pagalungan, Nabawan, and Kinabatangan are also in the pipeline, along with the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Bantul, Pagalungan, and the GOF 20th Battalion housing complex and administration building in Beluran, as announced by Saifuddin.
Esscom has already conducted 6,473 inspections of individuals, vehicles, and premises this year, resulting in 107 arrests for various offense including undocumented migration, drug trafficking, and smuggling. Additionally, Saifuddin highlighted the pilot initiative of relocating foreign children from Immigration depots to a special temporary settlement called Baitul Mahabbah. He explained that children under 10 years old under the custody of the Immigration Department will be placed in Baitul Mahabbah until the completion of their respective countries’ embassy documentation process, after which they will be repatriated. One of the centers will be located in Papar.
