At the book launch: Hajiji (second from right) with Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun (left) and Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong (right) browsing through the book at Menara Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. GOF Sabah Brigade Commander Datuk Abdul Rani Alias (third from left) and Datuk Abidin Madingkir are seen looking on.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah wants the building of two additional General Operations Force (GOF) battalion complexes to be expedited to bolster security in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the two new battalions identified were for Battalion 21 Keningau in the state’s interior and Battalion 22 Kunak in the east coast.
Sabah now has five GOF battalions stationed in Kinarut, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Beluran.
“Sabah is a vast state and surrounded by the South China Sea in the west, Sulu Sea in the north-east, and Celebes Sea in the east, while in the south, we share the border with Indonesia.
“So the additional two GOF complexes are necessary not only to hinder subversive movements but also to block smuggling of fuel, logs and drugs, among others,” he said at the launch of the Ops Daulat Tanduo book titled General Operations Force, Sabah Brigade: Eliminating Terrorists and The Fifth Column in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu at Menara Kinabalu near here yesterday.
Hajiji commended the Sabah PGA and Archives Department for collaborating on the book, which is now an official historical document on the 2013 Tanduo armed intrusion by Sulu gunmen.
“Security operations like the terrorist intrusion in Kampung Tanduo are an example of our security forces’ bravery and commitment,” the CM added.
The incident in February 2013 stemmed from the action of a terrorist group claiming Sabah for the defunct Sulu Sultanate, which Hajiji said was never recognised by the Malaysian Government.
“The Sulu Sultanate has ceased to exist for several decades and is not recognised by any sovereign country or international organisation. It was a baseless attempt by the group to claim sovereignty over a region of Malaysia,” he added.
The Chief Minister reiterated the Sabah Government’s stand not to recognise any demand from those claiming to be the sultanate’s heirs.
“This stand is clear and in line with the voice of Sabahans who chose to form the Federation of Malaysia through the Malaysia Agreement in 1963.
“Hence, any outside claim will never be entertained by the state government and the people,” he said.
Hajiji said the security forces’ sacrifice was huge, particularly during the Tanduo incident, as they fought for the country’s sovereignty and people’s security with their lives.
“All Malaysians greatly value the GOF’s involvement in the incident. I hope this book will benefit the public who want to know more about the terrorist incursion in Tanduo and the sacrifices of our security forces,” he added.
