Need for army camp be built in Kudat to boost ESSCom's security operations

KUDAT: Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri sees the need for a military camp to be built in the Kudat district to complement the Eastern Sabah Security Command's (ESSCom) security operations in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSCom).

He said the security control operations which currently focuses more on the state's eastern coastal region should be expanded to Kudat at this district, located in the northern part, is the main gateway to smuggling and kidnapping, besides other criminal activities.

In this regard, Abdul Rahim who is also the Member of Parliament for Kudat, urged the government to consider the setting up of an army camp in Kudat district be included in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

"The existing camp here is a logistics camp for the 'Op Pasir Utara' and is not a full-fledged army camp. We want a full-fledged camp which can least place an army battalion to ensure security preparedness at all times in the northern area," he said.

Abdul Rahim was speaking to reporters after attending an ESSCom security briefing and dialogue with local community leaders, here, today.
He said the site to locate the army camp had been identified, namely Sikuati in Kudat, which had been gazetted by the Sabah government over 20 years ago.

"I had put forward this proposal and am still waiting for the decision as it has to be studied by the Economic Planning Unit and Finance Ministry. I hope it can be listed under the 11MP."

However, he said, security posts had also been set up on a number of islands in Kudat district for the army to ensure security in the area. – Bernama