KOTA KINABALU, April 1- The first high-level conference on the Political Transformation programme on security and the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE) will be held here on Wednesday (April 3). It will provide an opportunity for the participants to express their initial views on the main issues as well as discuss the rationale behind the enforcement
of ESSZONE.
A statement issued by the Press and Publications division of the Sabah Chief Minister’s Department here today, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman(Pic) is expected to officiate the one-day conference, organised by the Attorney General’s Chambers with the assistance of the Sabah government.
Some 400 selected participants are expected to attend the conference. Interested parties are invited to contact Annie Syuhada Abdullah at 088-488 231, e-mail: syuhada@agc.gov.my at or Juvinnie Loking at 088-488 230, e-mail: juvinnie.loking@agc.gov.my for further information, said the statement.
Last Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the establishment of the ESSZONE, covering 10 districts, to provide the legal basis for the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM). The districts are Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
Najib was quoted as saying that these districts would be administered by an Eastern Sabah Safety Zone Committee, set up under the Preservation of Public Security Regulations 2013, and chaired by the Sabah chief minister (Datuk Seri Musa Aman).
Following which, on Sunday, Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa announced the appointment of Sabah Immigration director Datuk Mohammad Mentek as director of the ESSCOM effective April 1. The establishment of ESSCOM was announced by the Prime Minister on March 7 following a Southern Filipino armed terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu. ESSCOM covers the districts of Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Lahad Datu.
BERNAMA
