23rd March, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR: Marine police will set up a forward operating base (FOB) at Mabul Island in Sabah this year to ensure security of the state’s waters.

Bukit Aman marine police commander SAC Abdul Rahim Abdullah said the facility would act as a tactical base. “FOB will be managed by marine police and buttressed by Very Able Troopers-69 (VAT 69), the General Operations Force and Special Actions Unit.

“Once it is completed we will assign 10 boats there to patrol and scan the area including the waters off Si Amil Island and Sipadan Island and the Indonesian border,” he told Bernama.

He said the FOB was a strategy mooted by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and marine police. Abdul Rahim said the establishment of the base would also provide an assurance of security and peace of mind for tourists to the resort islands.

“The FOB on Mabul Island is a pilot project and if effective, we will build more on the islands in Sabah and other states,” he said.

He revealed that the facility would be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment such as infrared or thermal imaging cameras and radar surveillance.

According to him, the government had allocated RM25 million for the FOB but the greenlight must come from ESSCOM.

“We already have the funds…it’s only a matter of launching and building it. “This FOB project is part of the government’s efforts and commitment to enhance the police force in its service to the people,” he said.

In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said this was a step in the right direction not only to boost security but also to negate the perception created by the travel advisory issued by certain countries.

“It is hoped that the establishment of this forward base would send a strong message to perpetrators our seriousness in dealing with crime and lawlessness, especially in areas with large foreign population,” he stressed. Meanwhile on the present security of Sabah’s waters, Abdul Rahim said it was under control.

“On our part, we conduct 24-hour patrols and surveillance together with other security agencies in averting potential threats,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said agencies entrusted to safeguard the country’s waters need to reinforce their respective elements of intelligence.

“It is crucial for all security agencies to strengthen their respective capability and work in an integrated manner such as sharing of intelligence information for a more effective maritime operation.

“Hopefully local residents particularly fishermen would act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the authorities and report any suspicious activities in their area,” he said. – Bernama/New Sabah Times