Power vacuum following Kiram's death

LAHAD DATU - The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) high command is closely monitoring the power vacuum in the so-called Sulu sultanate following the death of Jamalul Kiram III, last week in Manila.

All eyes are now on a possible power struggle within the family to succeed him and the split of allegiances in the Sulu community.

ESSCOM director-general, Mohamad Mentek said that it was still too early to make an assessment of the situation following Jamalul’s death, as the succession plan within the Sulu’ was still unclear.

“We will definitely follow closely on this development … I do not care who will be the successor,“ he said.

Most importantly ESSCOM will continue to strengthen the safety of the waters in its jurisdiction and our security personnel guarding the coastline are all ready to face anything.

On the possibility that Jamalul’s brother Agbimuddin Kiram, the man who led the foolhardy and bloody invasion of Sabah earlier this year, stepping into his shoes, Mentek said ESSCOM is on heightened alert and prepared for any eventuality.

“Knowing that he is the person who led the invasion we will be very careful assessing the situation … this is because probably the sentiment is still there,” he said.

Mohamad Mentek made the comments during an ESSCOM briefing to the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) senior officials.

ESSCOM internal Security and Public Order Division Director, DCP Abd Rashid Bin Harun, Administration and Public Service Division Director, Abdul Rahman Ishar also attended.