Latest news with #Esscom
Daily Express
29-07-2025
- Daily Express
40 held in Esscom's operation in Tawau, Kalabakan
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: Among those detained during the integrated operation. TAWAU: A total of 40 individuals were arrested during a three-day integrated operation in the Tawau and Kalabakan districts, which concluded last Saturday. The joint operation, led by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), targeted illegal immigrants, drug-related activities, smuggling, and various other offences. Of those detained, 21 were illegal immigrants from the Philippines and Indonesia. They have since been handed over to the Immigration Department in Tawau for further action under Sections 15(1)(c) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Esscom Commander DCP Datuk Victor Sanjos said the operation, a collaboration involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Armed Forces (ATM), Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), and other federal, state, and local agencies, aimed to restore public order and enforce laws across the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone). 'Raids were carried out at the old Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Jetty, Road Check Point (RCP) Kalabakan, and several suburban settlements and villages known for illegal activity,' he said in a statement on Monday. The remaining 19 detainees included two suspected drug dealers, who were brought to Tawau District Police Headquarters for urine screening under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Poisons Act 1952. The authorities also seized 125.64 grammes of syabu, 41 bottles of ketum juice (1.5 litres each), and RM950 in cash. Enforcement personnel inspected 146 individuals, 26 premises and three vehicles. Several violations were identified, including illegal electricity connections in settlements, which caused an about RM750,000 in losses to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB). Action was taken under Section 61(3) of the Electricity Supply Enactment 2024. The operation also saw the issuance of 35 traffic summonses and two vehicle inspection notices under the Road Transport Act 1987 by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and traffic police. Victor said the operation was part of Op Sanggah Esscom, a continuous nationwide effort to bolster existing enforcement by PDRM, ATM and APMM. 'Esscom remains committed to our principle of 'No Day Without Operation' to prevent foreign criminal elements from threatening the peace in Eastern Sabah,' he added. He also thanked all 254 personnel involved in the operation and urged the public to continue reporting security-related incidents in Esszone by contacting the Esscom Operations Centre at 089-863181 or via WhatsApp at 011-63311072. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Charity golf tourney achieves goal
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: Azmie Lim Text Size: The participants of the charity golf tournament. LAHAD DATU: A charity golf tournament held here from July 19-20 achieved its goal of raising funds to buy haemodialysis equipment and support other charitable causes. The tournament attracted participation from various government agencies, private sectors and golfers from across Sabah. Participants included the Royal Malaysia Police, Prison Department, Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), Malaysian Armed Forces and officers from corporate and non-governmental sectors. Esscom Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos, who is also the tournament's organising chairman, said the event is a holistic initiative that addresses health, social and cultural aspects. 'We did not just come to play golf, our main purpose was to raise funds for a haemodialysis machine that will be donated to the Lahad Datu Hospital,' he said. He pointed out the urgent need for such equipment, particularly in rural areas, as kidney disease cases continue to rise. The tournament, organised jointly with Datuk Nording Ening and Ken Ng at the Lahad Datu Golf and Country Club, received encouraging response and support from all participants. Beyond its charitable purpose, the event served as a platform to unite diverse community segments through sports and culture, coinciding with the Kaamatan month celebrations. The tournament featured cultural performances by various ethnic groups in Lahad Datu, featuring Sabah's cultural diversity. Organisers plan to make this an annual event, maintaining its focus on charitable causes while strengthening unity and celebrating the State's ethnic and cultural diversity. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
06-07-2025
- The Star
No longer just safe, but thriving
Site visit: Saifuddin Nasution visiting a border control post on Mataking Island in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone. — Bernama KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, particularly the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), remains a safe and secure destination for foreign tourists, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Once marred by past security incidents, he said the region is now seeing tourism flourish and local livelihoods improve, which is a clear result of sustained peace and targeted development. 'This year marks the second time the Home Ministry, in collaboration with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), has brought diplomats and foreign representatives from the United States, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, China, South Korea and Spain for a series of one-day visits to key tourist locations within the ESSZone,' he said. 'Security is no longer the only story here. It is about transformation. What we see today is the direct outcome of peace: jobs, income and thriving tourism,' he said during a site visit to Semporna's islands with a delegation of diplomatic representatives and officials yesterday. Also present was Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Saifuddin Nasution said tourist arrivals to Sabah's east coast have more than quadrupled since 2022. Official figures show 64,470 tourist arrivals in 2022, which jumped to 313,128 in 2023 and reached 319,479 by the end of May 2024. 'These are not just tourists from anywhere. Many are from countries that previously issued travel advisories to their citizens regarding the east coast of Sabah. 'This surge in visitors is proof that the perception is changing, people are coming back, and in bigger numbers,' he added. He said that countries such as Japan are already reviewing their travel advisories here following previous diplomatic engagements, adding that progress is being made with others like the United States, Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. 'These advisories still hold weight and affect public perception. That is why we do not wait for second-hand assumptions, we invite foreign representatives to experience the situation for themselves.' He said that the region's turnaround is not accidental, but a result of coordinated efforts under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and the Federal Government's Madani Economic Framework. He added that face-to-face engagements with international stakeholders remain the ministry's preferred strategy in changing outdated perceptions. 'There is no substitute for direct experience. 'We want them to see, hear and understand what Sabah really is today,' he said. With positive changes taking root, Saifuddin Nasution said the ultimate goal is for countries to revise travel warnings that no longer reflect the current reality.
Malay Mail
05-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Malaysia ranks 13th in Global Peace Index 2024, score unchanged despite drop from 10th place
TAWAU, July 5 — Malaysia has been ranked 13th in the Global Peace Index (GPI) this year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. He said that, although Malaysia's position changed from 10th place last year to 13th this year, the country's overall score remained at the same level. He also noted that Malaysia was ranked 19th in 2023. 'There are countries, including those in Scandinavia, which have improved their scores on two indicators, particularly in areas such as peacekeeping expenditure. These countries have now surpassed us in the rankings, even though our score has remained the same, because their performance has improved,' he said. 'This GPI takes into account dozens of indicators, and when compared with 165 countries worldwide, we are clearly on the right track. It is important for us to maintain this momentum of peace, and make the most of the GPI indicators,' he told reporters, after officiating the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Kampung Angkat Madani (Madani adopted village initiative), in Kampung Inderasabah, here, yesterday. A check on the website confirmed that Malaysia recorded a GPI score of 1.469, placing it 13th out of 163 countries. According to Saifuddin Nasution, one of the efforts to further improve Malaysia's GPI ranking is to attract more tourists to the country. He said that the Home Ministry has implemented various initiatives, including briefing sessions and security review programmes with foreign diplomats. 'The ministry has brought diplomats from high-potential countries, such as the United States and those in Europe, to the east coast of Sabah, so that they can see the situation for themselves, and encourage their citizens to visit Malaysia,' he said, adding that the programme has had a positive impact on boosting tourist arrivals to the east coast of Sabah. — Bernama
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Esscom brings benefits to ESSZone while maintaining security
TAWAU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) which was established 14 years ago has maintained its excellent performance not only in creating peace but also in bringing benefits to the community in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone). Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Esscom remained committed to its core task of creating peace and through that, many government plans could be implemented, including the Madani Adopted Village Programme in Kampung Inderasabah here. "Esscom, with an allocation of RM1 million, has selected Kampung Inderasabah to carry out several physical and non-physical infra projects," he told reporters after officiating the Esscom Madani Adopted Village in Kampung Inderasabah on Friday. He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously announced an allocation of RM200 million for the implementation of the programme this year, which involved 200 villages nationwide, including 12 or 13 villages under the Home Ministry. Esscom chief executive officer Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Ali said the selection of Kampung Inderasabah was based on several important justifications, including the unique security challenges faced. He said the justification was also seen from the aspect of potential for eco-tourism and fisheries development as well as the geographical location of the village which is close to the border of the waters of neighbouring Indonesia. "The Finance Ministry agreed with Esscom's proposal and approved RM1 million on March 1, projects received approval from the ministry, namely the construction of the village entrance gate, upgrading the pavilion, the open hall of SK Inderasabah, the futsal court and the Al-Furqon Mosque. "Other projects include the upgrading and installation of solar street lights in the village, repairing the village footbridge, the jetty at the base, the Kemas Daycare Center area, and the church in addition to implementing programmes with the local community," he said. Jamaluddin said Esscom, in collaboration with Tawau Municipal Council and GiatMara Tawau as the implementing agency, would ensure that the projects involved ran smoothly and were given priority so that they could be completed this year. "Esscom also hopes that through this initiative, it can further strengthen the relationship between Esscom and the community in ESSZone, thus ensuring Eastern Sabah area continues to be peaceful, prosperous and resilient," he added. Apas assemblyman Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said for the past 14 years, Kampung Inderasabah community has been a strategic partner for Esscom, whether in terms of prevention of cross-border crimes, including involvement in community programmes. "On behalf of the residents of Apas constituency, I would like to express my gratitude and welcome this initiative because we are confident that it will bring progressive change and address the problem of poverty as well as ensuring infrastructure in the village is improved," said Nizam, who is also the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister. – Bernama
