Eastern Sabah Security Command

Eastern Sabah Security Command
Part of National Security Council
Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia

  ESSCOM area.
Type Security Command of Eastern Sabah Area
Site information
Owner Malaysia
Controlled by Joint operations of
Malaysian Armed Forces
Royal Malaysia Police
and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Site history
Built 2013
In use 2013 – present
Battles/wars 2013 Lahad Datu standoff
Cross border attacks in Sabah
Garrison information
Current
commander		 DCP Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, Commander
Garrison Headquarters:
Lahad Datu

Area districts:
Kudat
Sandakan
Lahad Datu
Kunak
Tawau

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) is a Malaysian security area that covers 1,400 km of the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau.[1] It was established by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib bin Abdul Razak and announced on 7 March 2013 by Musa Aman, the Sabah State Chief Minister.[2] Its purpose is to strengthen maritime security in the eastern part of Sabah following the persistent attacks by pirates and militants in the southern Philippines especially after the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff, while at the same time ensuring that trade and business activity are not affected.[1] The ESSCOM headquarters and main bases is at Lahad Datu.

On 8 July 2014, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the restructuring of the ESSCOM with the setting up of two major components - security and defence management as well as enforcement and public action.

Scope

ESSCOM is the authoritative body that oversees Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE), which comprises the districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.[1][3][4] The body is chaired by the Chief Minister of Sabah, assisted by a CEO appointed by the government.[5][3] ESSCOM's primary initiative is the establishment of new police stations to further improve security.[6]

Expansion proposal

On February 2014, the Malaysian government announced plans to further extend the ESSCOM area to reach Sarawak.[7] Ministry of Defence Hishammuddin Hussein in his statement said discussions would be held with the government of Brunei, the Sarawak state government and oil and gas companies operating in the waters before the move was implemented.[8]

Visits

On 9 June 2014, around 20 students from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) visited ESSCOM headquarters to know the concept of the security area, particularly its integrated operations involving various agencies as well as procedures in dealing with challenges and issues that arise. The delegation was led by Major General Sir Sebastian John Lechmere Roberts along with other 19 senior military officers and civilians from various countries including Sudan, Lebanon, Italy, Estonia, Egypt, Ghana, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Kenya and the United Kingdom.[9] On 25 August 2016, four Japanese delegates from the Japan Terrorism Prevention Unit also visit ESSCOM.[10]

Director-General

The Director-General of ESSCOM is selected on a rotational basis.[11]

Name Former Position
Datuk Mohammad Mentek Head of Immigration, Sabah
Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun Police, Internal Security and Public Order, former Pasukan Gerakan Khas VAT69 commander.[12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "ESSZONE Set up to halt incursions". The Star (Malaysia).
  2. ↑ "Phase one of security area named ESS Com". The Star (Malaysia).
  3. 1 2 "Security area widened in east Sabah". New Straits Times.
  4. ↑ "Sabah Immigration director is Esscom chief". New Straits Times.
  5. ↑ "Government-appointed CEO to oversee operations of Eastern Sabah Security Command". The Star (Malaysia).
  6. ↑ "Government forms East Sabah Safe Zone". New Straits Times.
  7. ↑ Kathleen Ann Kili (15 February 2014). "Government may extend Esscom's reach to Sarawak". The Star. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Rizalman Hammim (15 February 2014). "Govt mulls expanding ESSCOM to include Sarawak". New Straits Times. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "RCDS students visit ESSCOM HQ". New Sabah Times. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Japanese officials visit Esscom". Daily Express (Malaysia). 26 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  11. ↑ , "Beliau berkata, tempoh pelantikan itu adalah selama enam bulan dan ia dilaksanakan secara bergilir-gilir."
  12. ↑ , VAT69 commander to lead Esscom in power restructure

External links

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