KOTA KINABALU, (April 4) — A local Social and Human Rights activist said today that it was unfair for anyone to put the blame on the Eastern Sabah Security Command (EssCom) or its director general for the kidnap incident at a floating resort in Semporna on Wednesday.
Datuk Patrick Sindu who was commenting on criticisms against Esscom by certain quarters said EssCom’s role was limited.
“Its jurisdiction is restricted to coordinating the operations of agencies, such as the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in safeguarding the security of the population within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (EssZone),” he said.
The EssZone comprises Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau and Semporna.
However, Patrick acknowledged that many people were still unaware of the actual role or responsibility of EssCom.
“EssCom director general Datuk Mohammad Mentek has done a commendable job to ensure peace and security in the EssZone.
“Since the establishment of EssCom on April 1, 2013, there has not been any intrusions by Sulu terrorists,” he said.
In this regard, Patrick repeated his call to the federal government, particularly the attorney general’s chambers to fully explain to the public, the functions of EssCom in the EssZone.
Chinese national and a student in Shanghai, Gao Hua Yuan, 29, was a guest at Singahmata Adventures Reef and Resort when she was abducted with Filipina Marcy Dayawan (Mimi), a worker at the same resort by seven armed men around 10.30 pm on April 9.
Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib was quoted as saying yesterday, that the incident could have been “an inside job”. — BERNAMA