Sabah security is new Defence Minister’s priority

Security in Sabah is the top priority for new Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who will look into the East Sabah Security Command (Esscomm) and the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) as his first order of business.

“It is what we have promised the people of Sabah in which the Ess­comm and Esszone need to be in operation.

“It is something that both the Defence and Home Ministries – myself and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – have understood very early on. So, that is something I will personally focus on,” he said on his first day at Wisma Pertahanan here yesterday.

The well-being of officers serving in these areas, said Hishammuddin, would also be emphasised.

“That is something which is close to my personal stance since I was with the Home Ministry.

“But we will have to see because this is a big ministry,” he said.

Esscom is the enforcement agency for the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone), which covers 10 districts – Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau – along a 1,400km stretch in Sabah’s east coast.

The Esszone was set up following the incursion of armed Sulu gunmen in Lahad Datu in February.

Hishammuddin also said it was important for him to settle down and get to know his new ministry as quick as possible.

In addition to the Home Ministry, Hishammuddin had been appointed to overlook the Transport Ministry, a portfolio reserved for MCA.

Hishammuddin and his deputy Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri were given a Guard of Honour by 107 officers of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment Ceremonial.

Source: The Star.com