Not easily forgotten: Malaysian security forces under Esscom patrolling the beach of Tanjung Labian in Lahad Datu close to Kampung Tanduo where Sulu intruders landed on Feb 12, 2013.
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah east coast region’s economic and investment sector is still affected by the incursion of Sulu terrorists and subsequent battle in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, more than a decade ago, says former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
He said investors, especially from Japan and South Korea, were discouraged from entering certain areas due to travel advisories issued by their countries.
As the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster Sabah Sdn Bhd chairman, he has personal knowledge of the advisories that classified the region as a “black area”.
“I told them it is safe to invest there, but they still do not want to go there. The west coast like Kota Kinabalu is their target. So, we see that even though the incident in Lahad Datu was long ago, it still has an impact on the economy of Sabah,” he told Bernama.
In February 2013, the nation was rocked by news of intrusion by Sulu armed terrorists who had entered Malaysian waters in stages at Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu.
A subsequent shootout in Kampung Tanduo on March 1 saw 10 Malaysian security personnel and 68 Sulu terrorists killed. The conflict was declared over on April 10, 2013.
Currently serving as an appointed Sabah assemblyman, Yong said the security level in Sabah was now under control and satisfactory, especially with the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).“Despite the high level of security in Sabah, we know that the state, especially on the east coast, is still threatened by outside elements. That is why we’re still imposing curfews at night because Esscom is unable to control security due to limited assets.
“Therefore, I suggest that the government view this matter seriously and further strengthen Esscom so that there is no longer a need to implement the curfew,” he said.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Kunak assemblyman Norazlinah Arif urged the government to immediately improve Sabah’s security system, especially in the Eastern Sabah Safe Zone (Esszone), and ensure rapid growth of the state’s economic sector.
Former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said although security in Sabah was not threatened as a result of Esscom, the influx of illegal immigrants was still continuing.
The former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said should the influx of illegal immigrants continue, it could pose a security threat.
“There must be a solution to the influx with cooperation from all parties. The Sabah government must find methods to address this matter, such as providing them with documents to know their whereabouts and strict monitoring the workforce in the state,” he said.
