The pilot project in different districts located within the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone would see the possible demolition of squatter colonies, relocation of its dwellers and strict enforcement of laws.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek, was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying that the project would be implemented soon after ground information on the villages was updated.
The villages were proposed for the pilot project in a meeting chaired by state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman here together with other security and enforcement agencies as well as the local authorities.
“We need to update the profile or the latest information of the colonies, such as the population, its demographics, find out the number of locals or immigrants, where most of them work, among other things before we move in.
“Nine committees have also been formed before the project starts and these bodies will look into various aspects, such as welfare, education, security, relocation and enforcement among others.
“Once all the information is ready, then we can launch our plan of action,” Mohammad told the New Straits Times.
He added that the plan also complied with the National Blue Ocean Strategy because it was a holistic approach that involved both the state and federal administrations.
Sukarti chaired meeting that identified the three villages.
He said the project would likely run for a lengthy period that would be determined soon but once it it starts, it would be followed by others.
“There will be no delay but the pilot project would guide how we carry out the other plans that follow.”
Political and community leaders were also urged to support or cooperate once the authorities move in to clear the areas because interventions could hinder efforts to secure the state which recently came under threat by intruders from southern Philippines.
In February, armed men landed on a coastal village in Lahad Datu and threatened Malaysian sovereignty.
Ten members of the Malaysian security forces were killed in defending the country and thousands displaced temporarily before threats were quelled in an operation launched against the intruders.
Esscom was launched in a bid to seek a long-term solution in protecting the state from such intrusions along its 1,400km coastal line as well as threats from within the state, especially in squatter colonies.
During the on-going Royal Commission of Inquiry last week, suggestions were made for the government to look into providing more homes for local squatters and set up cluster settlements for immigrant workers so that they could wipe out the many colonies that have become an eyesore in major districts across the state.
ESSCOM IS MALAYA'S PLOY TO WIN SULU SUPPORT & REINFORCE VOTE BASE
ReplyDeleteBefore we all praise the colonial Malayan government for coming to our "rescue" and its bare face attempt to cover up its spectacular failure to prevent the Sulu invasion, we should take a look at what happened in Sarawak with RASCOM 40 years ago.
The “RASCOM” was formed at the height of the Sarawak independence war fought by the communist North Kalimantan People's Army (NKPA) against the occupying Malayan colonial armed forces.
This the History of Nanga Jagau -
"From Vibrant to Sleeping Hollow"
Nanga Jagau is one of resettlement schemes in Kanowit, Sibu Division within central region of Sarawak. The Iban community there was resettled during communist insurgency way back in the 1960s and 1970s. Initial administration was placed under the Rejang Area Security Command (RASCOM) with its main objective to prevent the people from supporting the communist “threat” which was fought to oppose Sarawak becoming part of the federation of Malaysia in 1963.
The populations of this resettlement scheme (RS) have a strong interest in achieving progress, development and change. Many of them made their living through small-scale farming although very slow in bringing tangible progress to their economic welfare. Quite significant number of youngsters have migrated to major towns and cities in looking for better opportunities. While those who are staying behind and occupied longhouses are the elders or first generation of the settlers.
The vast majority of population (from 21 longhouses and 1,833 people) there would consider themselves lucky if they earned averagely RM50 per week. Sustainable income generating activities in this place are very little and it consider the most remote - can only be reached by boat. One way trip taking between five to ten hours.
Thus, this space is dedicated to document the horrific experience of the people of Nanga Jagau in changing their life . Few of them made it for the better, but many would still have to struggle very hard against many challenges that works to hinder their progress to escape from vicious cycle of poverty!
(source: http://nangajagau.blogspot.com.au/ April 2010)
ESSCOM is modelled on Malaya's infamous “new villages” replicated in Sarawak's RASCOM Rejang areas (also an idea used by the British and Israelis in Palestine). The RASCOM was like the Malayan Emergency a form of emergency rule over the designated areas.
“New Villages” were no more than concentration camps to control people the UMNO government suspected as enemies. In the Suluks' case the BSRA have branded as terrorist group. So it does not leave much to imagination that Suluks are not under suspicions and must be controlled.
ESSCOM is just one of UMNO's political tools to reinforce its voter base and use it to maintain its colonial rule over Sabah.