Esscom: Five kidnapping attempts foiled since July

From the Malay Mail Online (Dec 8): Esscom: Five kidnapping attempts foiled since July















A file picture of a Lahad Datu water village squatter colony. The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has repelled at least five kidnapping attempts which had been planned by criminals in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) during the past five months. ― Picture courtesy of Esscom

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) has repelled at least five kidnapping attempts which had been planned by criminals in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) during the past five months.     
       
ESSCom Commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said this was the biggest success by ESSCom since the restructuring of the entity on July 15.
            
“Since the restructuring of ESSCom, there has not been any case of abduction in our records. I congratulate all the staff of ESSCom (for this achievement),” he said.   
       
Abdul Rashid said this in his speech at the parade to mark the retirement of former ESSCom Director of Security Intelligence, Datuk Ahmad Nadzer Nordin at the grounds of the Marine Operations Force Base, near here today.      
     
Also present were ESSCom Deputy Commander Brig Gen Subari Tomo, ESSCom Marine Component Head, Maritime First Admiral M Karunanithi, Head of the Operations Centre Component Datuk Tuan Roslan Tuan Ismail and ESSCom senior staff.        
    
Abdul Rashid said that since assuming the post of ESSCom Commander, he had changed the focus and priority of ESSCom from fighting abductions to curbing smuggling activities.       
     
“We believe and have even proved that by curbing smuggling activities, we managed to curb other activities such as drug trafficking, the entry of illegal immigrants and kidnappings,” he said.       
     
Beginning next year, he said ESSCom would be even more aggressive with the addition of several new assets and the repair of several assets.

“ESSCom is now planning to repair several boats to assist the existing fleet. We are also planning to acquire several engines to enable the idle boats to operate again,” he said.        
   
“Defence on the islands will also be strengthened where we are planning to install various equipment such as radars, cameras and alarm systems.

Meanwhile in his farewell speech, Ahmad Nadzer, said he was most fortunate for having been selected to serve ESSCom which was most challenging.  
          
He said the creation of ESSCom was appropriate to defend the sovereignty and safety of the people of Sabah, particularly in ESSZone and it should be supported by everyone. 
           
Ahmad Nadzer, who goes on mandatory retirement on Saturday, said ESSCom, which comprised personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the civilian division, was a “role model” agency of the federal government which truly practiced the National Blue Ocean Strategy. — Bernama

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/esscom-five-kidnapping-attempts-foiled-since-july