Use drones to guard the east coast, says Sabah rep

PBS’ Tamparuli assemblyman Jahid Jahim (right) with fellow party member Julita Majungki at the state assembly building in Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah opposition assemblyman has proposed that drones be used to shore up security on Sabah waters.

Jahid Jahim (PBS-Tamparuli) said it would also effectively monitor fishermen’s activities particularly those using pump boats.

During a debate on the First Supplementary Supply (2019) Enactment 2019 Bill in the state assembly today, Jahid, who is the PBS secretary-general, questioned the state’s decision to allow the use of pump boats in Sabah.

Pump boats, known for their speed and silence, were outlawed by the previous Barisan Nasional administration in 2017, citing cross-border crimes and kidnappings.

The Warisan-led government lifted the ban last year.

Jahid said pump boats remained a real security threat.

“There must be collaboration between (the state government) and the security forces, under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone),” he said.

Citing the recent fish bombing incident off Semporna that claimed three lives, he said the state tourism ministry should work with security forces to beef up safety measures for local and foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, Jahid warned of attempts to obtain identity documents by exploiting tragedies such as fires at squatter areas.

He said some were taking advantage of the exercises held by government departments to re-issue personal documents to fire victims.

“There is no doubt that some may just take advantage by giving false particulars to obtain identification documents. Some even said it was their modus operandi,” he added. - FMT