Valuable lessons from Lahad Datu

THE Lahad Datu drama and tragedy has taught us two valuable lessons. It is sad that our security forces suffered losses and lives. Our hearts go out to them for their bravery.

First, the security of our country needs to be beefed up with better surveillance. Though we have a large coastal line, our navy should be well-equipped to monitor the entire coastline of the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.

The ease with which the 180 armed men came and took charge of a village in Lahad Datu needs to be looked into seriously. Many questions need to be answered. How did our maritime forces allow the Sulu fishing vessels and boats to enter our waters? How did they evade our surveillance and tracking radars?

And why did we allow them to camp in the village for more than two weeks? We should have been firmer in our negotiations. The extensions of the deadline and time lapse only showed our weakness and indecisiveness.

The second and more important lesson is the issue of illegal immigrants. There are thousands of them in Sabah.

The overwhelming presence of these immigrants should be checked and reduced. Those without papers and valid documents should be deported.

These immigrants are also involved in crime and other undesirable activities. The government needs to check this menace.

Samuel Yesuiah

Seremban

-thesundaily