KOTA KINABALU, Oct 11 — Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director general Datuk Mohammad Mentek has urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and uniformed public service agencies to organise more youth programmes in strategic areas particularly coastal villages in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

He suggested that they focused on patriotism and awareness of the country’s sovereignty and security.

The approach was important as a new strategy to commit youths into playing a role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, in light of the terrorist intrusion in Tanduo, Lahad Datu early this year, he said.

“We want the youths to be the eyes and ears of the government in channelling information (including about foreigners) to the authorities particularly Esscom,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting with three government agencies and 13 NGOs under the Sabah Youth Council at the federal administrative complex in Likas near here today.

Mentek said there were 131 coastal villages and 23,000 houses in the Esszone with a population of 126,000, excluding residents on the islands within the Esszone.

According to him, Esscom had set up a 24-hour operations room manned by officers to whom the public could relay information.

“Our attention will not just be on those at school or university but also those who are no longer studying or who are jobless. We do not want them to get involved in unhealthy activities,” he stressed. — Bernama