Sabah, A Haven for Terrorists and Kidnappers

KOTA KINABALU -“Sabah’s poor security compromised by a porous border and the rampant issuance of Malaysian ICs for political expediency may have turned Sabah into a haven for terrorists , militants and kidnappers” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief and Bingkor State Assemblyman in responding to yet another fatal intrusion cum kidnapping in Mabul Island, Semporna last night.

This is the fifth reported security breach and incident in a span of 4 months and only weeks after discovering security risks among its own security personnel as the presence of militants in Tawau.

What is happening to Sabah’s security?   It seems that Sabah is becoming even more insecure since the establishment of ESSCOM and its latest restructuring.

Is the federal government addressing the Sabah security problems correctly?
Is ESSCOM the right answer to our security problems? Or
Are there more serious and fundamental social issues that need to be identified and addressed?

“Have the Umno federal government through its Project IC and recruitment of illegal immigrants as their Umno members and fixed deposit voters, the “Malayanization” and “Islamization” of Sabah created a “Monster” in its efforts to control Sabah politically? asked Dr. Jeffrey.

“It seems to me that the security incidents in Sabah including the Tanduo intrusion, the kidnappings, the robberies, the presence of militants on Sabah’s shores incidcate a common denominator and connection to having a Malaysian ID or MyKad” added Dr. Jeffrey.

That is why it makes it so difficult to safeguard Sabah’s borders because many of them are already within our borders.

Besides the ordinary illegal immigrants on the streets, there are also a huge number of “inland foreigners” numbering some 900,000 (or 27.7% of Sabah’s population) with various documents who are being “kept” and neglected without addressing their socio-cultural and socio-economic and educational needs except, perhaps, during election time.

It was not surprising that during last weeks’ fire that razed 30 houses and made 200 homeless in Pulau Gaya, off Kota Kinabalu, but the Sabah Chief Minister announced housing for 2,000 of them in Kinarut.   Was the additional 1,800 people released from the 900,000 reserves?

The government, it seems, have no political will to send them home or to resolve their presence as well as their needs.

Physical security is one thing, ESSCOM and their deployment of its assets is also one thing – but what is the government dling in addressing the social and human needs of this “Monster” that it has created?

The kidnapping incidences since the establishment of ESSCOM and the attack cum kidnapping in Mabul Resort on the heel of the ESSCOM restricting and the presence of the PM Najib short visit in Sabah is very significant.

“What message is these kidnappers and intruders sending to the federal and Sabah governments? -   that you cannot handle so, that you are no match for us?
- that we are everywhere?
- that we are the Monster you created?