Esscom command between Bukit Aman and Mindef, says Zahid KAJANG: The command of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will be placed under the police and army on a rotation basis, rather than being an independent body as it has operated in the past.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Saturday that the transition was still being studied by the Ministry and National Security Council (NSC), adding that the final decision on the matter would be made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"But to me, this suggestion makes sense. Adjustments are being done to have the Esscom commandant be under Bukit Aman and Mindef.
"As such to determine that the entire Esszone is controlled well, its best that the commandant is rotated between the two over the period of a few years.
“So say PDRM will take command of Esscom first and then it is handed to the army after a few years," Dr Zahid told reporters.
The announcement comes after call to replace Esscom director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek with a uniformed senior security officer, after two women were kidnapped for ransom by gunmen at the Singamata Reef Resort last month.
The incident, which is the second of its kind since Esscom was established, has cast a glare on the safe zone's effectiveness in preventing foreign intrusions.
Zahid did not give a timeframe on when the lead role for Esscom will be handed over to either authorities, saying there was plenty of coordination that needs to be made before the transition.
"What is being considered is the use of assets that were purchased by either the police, army or maritime agency. But the priority still remains in ensuring the safety of the Eastern Sabah people," he said.
Zahid added that the role of Esscom may also be expanded to curbing the smuggling of subsidised goods out of the country, which has become a boon in the state. He said the Ministry's smuggling prevention unit and the Customs Department would be roped in for this.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014...rotation-Zahid/Well, putting head of Immigration as the leader was a bad idea anyway, and it took two incidents for them to realize it.
Dari dulu org dh komplen..... x de kena mengena.... now we can see more enforcement between both PDRM & ATM.