KOTA KINABALU, March 16- Six police stations and three more customs, immigration and quarantine stations are to be established within a month in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) area, Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa(Pic) said today.
“That’s our immediate target, what we are looking at. We will start with a temporary office for the police and immigration posts.
“We will start as soon as possible. In fact the areas have been identified, and we will take action immediately,” he told reporters. Ali had chaired the first meeting of the national-level committee of the ESSCOM here last night. It was attended by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and
representatives of the relevant departments and agencies, including the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Ali said the enhancement of the capability and capacity of the armed forces and the police force was the main priority towards the realisation of the ESSCOM. The government viewed the matter with urgency as it was committed to maintaining security in Sabah, he said. He said the organisational structure of the ESSCOM would be worked out soon
by a legal team.
“Once the legal formation of the ESSCOM has been agreed upon, the appointment of the CEO (chief executive officer) of the ESSCOM will be done with the agreement of the state government,” he said, adding that all recommendations by the ESSCOM committee would be put forward to the federal government for approval. Ali said that for the long term, the government was looking at more developmental areas, including housing and some infrastructure development.
“The battalions required by the army and the police will also be coming in mid term. But for the immediate term, they have some mechanism where other methods are used,” he said.
Asked on the overall budget for the whole operation of the ESSCOM, Ali said he had asked all the relevant parties to come up with their immediate and long-term plans or needs.
“I think that in terms of budget, the federal government will allocate that … it’s an urgent matter for us,” he said. Asked to elaborate on the appointment of the ESSCOM CEO, he said: “The exact name (of the post), we are not sure yet but that looks like a closer name, chief executive officer, it sounds better.
“He will coordinate all the police, army and all the civilian departments. There are a few candidates. Let the state (Sabah government) put forward some candidates and then we will choose one,” he said, adding that the next meeting of ESSCOM would be in Putrajaya on Monday.
BERNAMA
