Still room for improvement in Sabah’s Esszone, says Nur Jazlan

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed speaks to reporters after visiting Sabah's Esszone yesterday, flanked by Deputy Home Minister II Masir Kujat (left) and Esscomm commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun. – The Malaysian Insider pic, October 5, 2015.

The security parameters at Sabah's security zone (Esszone) still needs improvement to prevent smuggling from happening, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said today.

In a statement issued after his visit to the Sabah east coast, Nur Jazlan said the relevant agencies must give even more cooperation to the Sabah east security command (Esscom), which was set up following the Lahad Datu incursion in 2013.

"If all enforcement agencies, be it from federal or state level, cooperate with Esscom, I think this problem can be solved or at least significantly reduced," he said.

Despite the formation of Esscom and Esszone, Sabah's east coast was still troubled by a spate of kidnappings over the past two years.

Nur Jazlan pointed out Pulau Sebatik, which borders Indonesia, as among the spots that need more enforcement.

Esscomm commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, meanwhile, said that while the security command felt that things have improved in Sabah's east coast, it still was not "satisfied".

"We find the security level to be more calm and controlled but this does not mean that we are satisfied." he said.

- TMI