Billion-ringgit Esscom couldn't prevent kidnapping?
Published: Nov 17, 2013 4:41 AM | Updated: Nov 17, 2013 5:11 AM
The recent kidnap and murder of Taiwanese tourists in the Pom Pom Islands off Sampoerna is proof that the government's Eastern Sabah Security Command Zone (Esscom) initiative has failed, said DAP.
The recent kidnap and murder of Taiwanese tourists in the Pom Pom Islands off Sampoerna is proof that the government's Eastern Sabah Security Command Zone (Esscom) initiative has failed, said DAP.
In a statement yesterday, Sabah DAP chairperson Jimmy Wong said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Home Minister Zahid Hamidi and Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein should all explain why such a tragedy has taken place even though Esscom has been in place since early this year.
Wong (right), who is also the Kota Kinabalu MP, said Esscom has cost the government RM2 billion in terms of improving military facilities, RM1 million to upgrade nine watch posts in the Sabah east coast, and also another RM75 million in allocation in the 2014 budget.
"This tragic incident has proven that all these allocations were not effective in enhancing the border protection at the east coast of Sabah," he said.
Wong added the incident has affected the country's international image and thus the government must now ensure the safety of the remaining hostage..
"Also, 2014 will be a Visit Malaysia year, and as Sampoerna is one of the best tourist spots in the country, the tourism industry could be affected," he said.
The authorities should restrict the movement of pump boats, which he said was the main transportation tool in the murder and kidnap case.
The MP plans to table an emergency motion in Parliament to debate the murder and kidnap case, and says he "hopes" the speaker will allow the House to debate on the matter.
In a statement yesterday, Sabah DAP chairperson Jimmy Wong said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Home Minister Zahid Hamidi and Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein should all explain why such a tragedy has taken place even though Esscom has been in place since early this year.
Wong (right), who is also the Kota Kinabalu MP, said Esscom has cost the government RM2 billion in terms of improving military facilities, RM1 million to upgrade nine watch posts in the Sabah east coast, and also another RM75 million in allocation in the 2014 budget."This tragic incident has proven that all these allocations were not effective in enhancing the border protection at the east coast of Sabah," he said.
Wong added the incident has affected the country's international image and thus the government must now ensure the safety of the remaining hostage..
"Also, 2014 will be a Visit Malaysia year, and as Sampoerna is one of the best tourist spots in the country, the tourism industry could be affected," he said.
The authorities should restrict the movement of pump boats, which he said was the main transportation tool in the murder and kidnap case.
The MP plans to table an emergency motion in Parliament to debate the murder and kidnap case, and says he "hopes" the speaker will allow the House to debate on the matter.
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