DAP Sabah disappointed with the Deja Vu – another Chinese national is believed to have been kidnapped from a fish farm in Lahad Datu, after the incident of a Chinese tourist and a Filipino worker kidnapped from a resort off Semporna about one month ago. Once again, ESSCom which allocated with millions of ringgit was proven as toothless tiger and failed to protect the security of ESSZONE.
I express my deepest concern towards the safety of the ransom. The latest kidnapping incident in Lahad Datu has proven that, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek’s statement of attempted intrusion into our waters by southern Philippines group of kidnappers are true.
Mentek said his statement was actually meant to alert all parties to the dangers of such trans border critical activities, which was not received well by Assistant Minister of State Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming. According to Pang, Mentek should refrain from making such statements as there were no arrests or evidence to prove.
I urge Pang not to continue lives in the condition of denial syndrome. However, the latest incident has shown the complete failure of ESSCom again, even though it’s director general good in alerting public over any eventuality at all times.
If we follow the leadership example by Korea, I don’t know how many times ESSCom director-general should resign from his post.
It’s high time to reform the current command and control structure. Mentek has expressed before, not only one time, that ESSCom does not have the command and control power. The ESSCom is not equivalent to a military nor policing type command, they are acting as coordinator, not commander in security regards. The issue of ESSZONE waters security is pertaining to internal security matter and police force should be given mandate to protect our people.
The easy accessibility of our waters could be due to “internal support” given to those Southern Philippines gunmen. DAP Sabah always reiterate that illegal issue is not more a time bomb but rather a real threat, thanks to the Project M which flooded Sabah with tremendous number of illegal immigrants.
It was learnt that the full report of Royal Commission of Inquiry of Sabah Illegal Immigrants would be tabled to Yang Dipertuan Agong this coming 21st May. RCI report should be tabled to Parliament and State Assembly for discussion to solve the long haunting problem once and for all. Census operation in water villages should be fasten also.
If the issue is continuously neglected by BN led federal government, the security of Sabah will always at stake.