AWAU, Jan 12 — The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) will launch a large-scale operation in the islands and the mainland used as the hideouts of cross border criminals and their activities, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

ESSCom commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the joint operation to be conducted with various state and federal enforcement agencies would focus their attention in the districts of Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.

He said the drastic move, as part of ESSCom's efforts, was to combat transboundary crimes, particularly kidnappings in ESSZone.

“I am pleased to inform that with the implementaion of enforcement and patrol duties at sea and land, we have managed to combat kidnapping cases since July 12 last year.

“We have also crippled significantly the smuggling network in ESSZone and we will continue our efforts to curb cases of kidnapping for ransoms,“ he said in his speech at the presention of two mooring buoys from the Sabah Marine Department to ESSCom here today.

Also present were ESSCom Public Director Ruji Ubi, ESSCom Marine Component chief Maritime First Admiral Maritim M Karunanithi, Sabah Marine Department director Rosnan Fathlal and Semporna district officer Dr Chacho Bulah.

With the buoys placed in the Semporna waters, two motherships could anchored there to conduct visual and radar surveilance more effectively, he said.

At the same time, he said several boats could use the motherships as a platform to launch patrols and standby for quick response in case suspicious vessels were detected.

He said ESSCom with the cooperation of the security forces, government agencies, community leaders and non governmental organisations had taken various

steps to combat activites related to transboundary crimes, especially smuggling, kidnappings and armed encroachment in ESSZone.

ESSZone encompasses 10 districts that covers 1,733.7 kilometres from Kudat to Tawau. These districts are Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan,Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau. — Bernama