Rotation of Esscom command

Rotation of Esscom command

Kuala Lumpur: The Home Ministry is coordinating to rotate the responsibilities of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commandant between the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the matter was also being studied in detail by the National Security Council before being presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak for the final decision.

"The Change of Command is usually referred to Bukit Aman Headquarters or Defence Ministry.

"As such, to ensure total security over the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), the commandant is better rotated for some years between police and the armed forces," he said after opening the Home Ministry Family Day at Kajang Prison Complex, near here, Saturday.

Ahmad Zahid said the coordination was important to prevent overlapping of authority and deployment of assets procured by the PDRM, ATM and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM).

"In my opinion, what is important is the security of residents in the Esszone and to prevent the intrusion of terrorists from neighbouring countries as well as smuggling activities," he said.

Asked on the authority of the ATM in making arrests as Esscom commandant, Ahmad Zahid said: "They have the authority to apprehend but the detainees will be handed to police for action".

On the level of security at Sabah's east coast following the kidnapping incident in Semporna recently, Ahmad Zahid said the ministry had made it mandatory to install high definition closed circuit television at all 11 resorts to tighten security.

He said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed with the governments of Nepal and Bangladesh on the recruitment of workers to the country.

View original post here:
Rotation of Esscom command