Sabah security under scrutiny

From the Malay Mail Online (Nov 21): Sabah security under scrutiny

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Over the last 20 years, the popularity of Sabah has risen tremendously, as people sought newer places to spend their vacations.

The many islands situated along the east coast of the state is known for its clear waters, and the abundance of coral reefs and marine life makes it a favourite place for divers and those who want a peaceful vacation by the beach.

Sabah is also known as the Land Below the Wind, because of its closeness to the typhoon region of the Philippines.

However, its fame is slowly fading, especially in the last two years following undesired incidents that have caused visitors to shun the place.

The series of unfortunate events started with the Sulu incursion in Feb 2013, when the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamaluddin Kiram III sought to “reclaim” Sabah as part of his ancestral homeland, sending 200 of his “Royal Sulu Army” militants into Lahad Datu.

The armed intruders, led by Jamaluddin’s brother Agbimuddin, barged into the Sabah village of Tanduao to press his claim on the state.

The group initially negotiated with security forces. But after the group refused to lay down their arms and security forces moved in against them, deadly clashes ensued.
Eight police officers and two soldiers were killed in the conflict. Dozens of militants also died.

On March 7, 2013, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the establishment of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to monitor maritime security and guard entry points, the shoreline and the sea front, including the islands.

It was also acknowledged that Islands off Sabah are vulnerable to kidnapping for ransom incidents.

Eastern Sabah has a long coastline of 1,777km with 400 over islands, many of which are inhabited.

Just when things were getting back to normal, the coast of Sabah was struck by a series of kidnapping cases.

Nov 13, 2013 — Taiwanese tourist Evelyn Chang was kidnapped while on a vacation in a villa on the resort island of Pom Pom. Chang’s 57-year-old husband, Hsu Li-min was shot and killed during the armed attack.  About a month later, Chang was found by Philippine marines at a village near Talipao, a town on the remote island of Jolo where Abu Sayyaf Islamic fighters are known to operate.

April 2, 2014 — Chinese tourist Gao Huayun and resort staff Marcy Dayawan, 40, were kidnapped at the Singamata Adventures Reef and Resort in Semporna. On May 30, 2014, two Malaysian officers were sent to the southern Philippine island of Jolo to escort the duo back. Gao returned to Shanghai from Kuala Lumpur the next day.

May 2014 — Fish farm manager, Yang Zai Lin, was kidnapped by armed men in Pulau Baik, near Lahad Datu, Sabah. He was held for nine weeks. Malaysian negotiators subsequently picked him up from Jolo island. Yang returned to China after the ordeal.

June 16, 2014 — Fish farm operator Chan Sai Chuin, 32, was abducted by Abu Sayyaf militants from Sabah’s east coast. On December 9 the same year, he was rescued by police from a hut in the jungles of Jolo in the southern Philippines.

July 12, 2014 — Const Zakiah Aleip, 26, was kidnapped from Mabul Water Bungalows Resort in Semporna by eight Abu Sayyaf militants while his colleague, Cpl Abdul Rajah Jamuan, 32, was shot dead during the incident. Zakiah was released by his kidnappers on March 6.

May 15, 2015 — Thien Nyuk Fun, 48, and Bernard Then Ted Fen, 36, were kidnapped from a seaside seafood restaurant in Sandakan. The duo were kidnapped by four armed gunmen believed to be from the Muktadil brothers’ gang.

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/sabah-security-under-scrutiny