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Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Esscom: Kidnappers now targeting fishing boats and trawlers



Kidnapping for ransom groups have started targeting tug boats and fishing trawlers in Sabah's east coast, due to increased security measures in islands famed for tourism, said the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
Esscom Intelligence deputy director Hassim Justin said the increased presence of assets and personnel at popular islands, such as Mabul and Sipadan have caused kidnappers to change their targets.
"Holiday-goers are safe," Hassim told a press conference in Tawau, Sabah, today. 
He cited state tourism and culture and environment minister Masidi Manjun recently saying that Sabah had received increased tourist arrivals so fat this year. 
Tourism in the state had been hit by several high-profile kidnappings on the east coast, the past few years. 
Hassim said operators of tug boats and fishing trawlers had initially failed to pay heed to security personnel's advise, which resulted in the high number of hijackings in 2016.
"After meeting them, we managed to persuade them to install communication services, such as the automatic identification system. When they followed our advise, the number of cases dropped. 
"Secondly, these trawlers sometimes go as far as to the borders so the criminals could just come and grab them," he said. 
He urged everyone staying within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) to provide details on their maritime activities and said the installation of automatic identification system had made it easier for Esscom to track down tug boats and fishing trawlers fitted with the devices. 

"On Dec 8 last year, it took us less than 15 minutes (to reach them). Before that there were two cases involving tugboats who said there were kidnappers. When they called us, the kidnappers ran away."
Esscom is meant to oversee and coordinate multiple security agencies, including the armed forces, police, and maritime enforcement agency, in an effort to secure Sabah's eastern border.
However, kidnappings for ransom has been taking place since Esscom's inception in 2013, leading to criticism against the outfit. - Mkini

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