Swoops, heavier security in Sabah east coast

From the Free Malaysia Times (Dec 30): Swoops, heavier security in Sabah east coast

Locals are well aware that the yearend holiday season has often been used to hide cross-border criminal activities in past years.

LAHAD DATU: Residents in the east coast districts of Sabah have seen increased movement of security forces since last Thursday.

More flights of military helicopters and armoured vehicles in this district of late have caught the attention of locals who are well aware that the yearend holiday season has often been used to hide cross-border criminal activities in past years.

This time the authorities appear to be taking no chances and have made it a point to clearly publicise their readiness to lock down the area and thwart any attempt by criminal elements operating from and seeking safe harbour in the Southern Philippines.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) officials however have called the increased movement of personnel “normal” and part of the on-going strengthening of security on the eastern seaboard of the state.

Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib when contacted downplayed the security movements, calling them “routine” operations being carried out by police who are part of the ESSCOM.

However, some security officials claim that the extra security alert came about after personnel at a police outpost in Kg Sibuti in the Dent Haven area of Tungku were alerted to the presence of an unidentified pump boat in the area.

The team manning the outpost were reported to have fired a flare into the night sky on hearing the sound of a boat engine approaching the main coastline in wee hours ofFriday morning.

However no vessel was detected and the ESSCOM high command was immediately informed and military helicopters and soldiers were dispatched to the area.

The official said that they had so far no evidence of any intrusion and the sound of boat engines in the night are not unusual as the use of pump boats is common by local villagers and fishermen in the area.

“All information received is not taken lightly and checked,” an official, who declined to be named, said.

Late Thursday night an army helicopter flew over this township and the manoeuvre was repeated on Friday night.

An armoured truck was seen on the main road heading toward Tungku area while soldiers armed with M16 rifles were seen on the street of Fajar commercial area and in town.

Swoop on illegals

Meanwhile Bernama reported yesterday that 20 people, including six women who did not have valid travel documents were detained during Ops GASAK 2 launched by Esscom.

ESSCOM director-general Mohammad Mentek said during the Ops that was carried out from 3.30am to 2.30pm, the 20 people, aged between four months to 50 years, were detained for further investigations.

“Initial investigations showed that the nine men, six women, a baby boy and four girls did not have valid travel or identification documents with them.

“There are 665 people living on Pulau Kalapuan, comprising 149 men, 235 women, 135 boys and 126 girls,” he said in a statement in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Mohammad said Ops GASAK 2 was a follow up operation to Ops GASAK 1 which was launched on Nov 24, covering Pulau Pom Pom, Pulau Mataking, Pulau Mabul and Kapalai and pledged that such operations would continue.

He said during the integrated operation which involved security agencies, police, Armed Forces, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Immigration, National Registration Department and Sabah’s Federal Special Task Force.

Mohammad also issued a stern warning that action would be taken against anyone harbouring illegal immigrants, especially those who rent their houses to foreigners (illegal immigrants).

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/12/30/swoops-heavier-security-in-sabah-east-coast/