I call for the resignation of Director General of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), Mohammad Mentek, following another kidnapping incident of a Chinese tourist and a hotel employee in Semporna last night.
I visit Semporna today, as the owner to the Singahmata resort which the incident took place, also comes from Tawau. A lot of resort operators are Tawau businessmen.
I strongly demand Mohammad Mentek, DG of ESSCOM, to resign from the post, as the incident is just another similar case, even after ESSCOM formation last year.
A total of RM286 million has been allocated in previous budget as announced by Prime Minster Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and 62 checkpoints are said to be upgraded but what finally demonstrated to the public and international society is, total failure of ESSCOM.
The most disappointing issue here is, what happens to our military forces? I was told that a military full day program has been conducted to invite local reporters to showcase the advance weapons equipped by our security personnel, such as auto piloted Scaneagle. Then last night at 10.30pm, a group of armed men abducted the tourist and hotel employee in the resort which is just 10 minutes ship distance from mainland.
So millions of ringgit has been wasted and our security still can’t protect the people. Therefore, I strongly call for the resignation of Mentek from his post as ESSCOM chief since he has failed us.
Recently tourism industry is booming in Semporna waters. Security remains the biggest obstacle to the development of the industry there. After Sulu invasion last year, tourism operators there found it difficult to look for financing to further invest and develop the industry. For instance, Alorie Lepa Lepa resort, a RM200 million Entry Point Project (EPP) under Economic Transformation Project (ETP) has been stopped for nearly a year, mostly believed due to the financing issue.