LAHAD DATU: ESSCOM Director: Three main elements of ESSCOM to be harmonised

LAHAD DATU: The combination of three main elements namely the police, military and public will be further strengthened under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to make the command a solid organisation, said ESSCOM director Datuk Mohammad Mentek. He said close attention was being given to ESSCOM to ensure it met its objective of maintaning peace and security along 1,400km of the Sabah's coastline in the east of the state. He said the three elements needed to work in tandem as ESSCOM not only involved security, but also socio-economic and community management. "Attention will be given on the combination of the three elements which need to be harmonised to make ESSCOM an effective organisation," he told Bernama. The formation of ESSCOM was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on March 7 to preserve the sovereignty and safety of Sabah's east coast comprising Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Lahad Datu. Najib made the announcement on ESSCOM when visiting an operation by security forces to eradicate terrorists in Felda Sahabat 16, near Kampung Tanduo, about 130km from Lahad Datu town. On March 29, Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa announced that Mohammad, who was Sabah Immigration Director at the time, had been appointed as ESSCOM director as he had experience in the development and management of human resource, finance and security. Lahad Datu has been chosen for ESSCOM's command centre and its temporary office in currently located at the Marine Police Headquarters while awaiting ESSCOM's headquarters to be built. Mohammad said he was not alone in operating ESSCOM as there was also cooperation from colleagues from other agencies including the National Security Council, Immigration Department and Home Ministry. He said his experience in several departments and his former post as Sabah Immigration Department director allowed him to forge closer relationships with friends from other agencies involved with ESSCOM. He said several coordination meetings were held on various aspects such as management, ESSCOM's structure and posts. According to Mohammad, he will raise a proposal on posts to the Public Service Department early next week. "As a new organisation which plays a big role in the safety of the state's coastline, ESSCOM needs to move fast," he said. Mohammad said he had met Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman yesterday for advice on the running of ESSCOM. He said Musa had generally agreed with his suggestions on components under ESSCOM, which would be brought to the Coordination Committee involving other agencies chaired by Ali. He said he will begin ESSCOM's operations in temporary cabins at the Lahad Datu Marine Police Base this Friday, followed by an ESSCOM management meeting. "I choose to begin work at the ESSCOM office on Friday because it is a meaningful day for Muslims and before that a "doa selamat" ceremony will be held," he added