DAP: Be mindful, terrorists don't fear Esscom

The BN government has been taken to task by the DAP for covering up a security lax in the Pom Pom Island incident by using "insensitive and irresponsible" remarks.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein was chided by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today for his "feeble attempt" to deflect Taiwanese anger and avoid blame by saying that the attack on the Taiwanese tourists on Pom Pom island, off Semporna in Sabah, "could happen anywhere". 

Similarly, Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan told Parliament today that the attack by terrorists on the Taiwanese couple, in which the man was killed and the woman kidnapped, caused "little impact" on the country's economy and tourism.

Lim, who is also chief minister of Penang and the MP for Bagan, questioned why Malaysia's beefed up security forces failed to "put the fear of God into these criminals terrorising Malaysians in these areas".

Malaysia spent nearly RM2 billion to set up the Eastern Sabah Security Command Zone (Esscom) to watch the coast off Sabah, after the invasion by Sulu militants in February this year. 


"No amount of damage control by the BN government can hide the fact that the security in the Esscom area has failed," Lim said in a press statement. 

"The Filipino terrorists have also shown that they do not fear the Malaysian security forces. That such criminal acts can happen so near the Esscom bases has shattered the illusion of public safety."

Lim said the government should now look at other measures to ensure Sabah does not suffer such barbaric acts anymore.

"If the Malaysian government cannot provide and ensure security, perhaps it should seek assistance from international bodies such as the United Nations. 

"I am certain that the UN will reciprocate such a request for help, since Malaysia has contributed much to the United Nations peacekeeping forces throughout the world," Lim added.