APM to act as preventive entity in ESSZone: Shahidan

SANDAKAN: The role of the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) is to act as a preventive and precaution entity by preparing the people to be ready against any security threats.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said APM functions as the pyschological warfare agency to ensure the people are not influenced by foreign elements.
He said the role was also a continuation of the responsibility to build the self-esteem of the people as well as their survival skills to overcome local emergency situation.
Therefore, he said APM would be involved in data profiling of the community and channel the information to the people, security forces and the government.
APM will also be carrying out routine assistance in emergency and support security agencies in enforcing the law to face any threats to public order, he said when opening the launching of APM posting in ESSZone here last night.
The text of his speech was read by APM chief commissioner Datuk Azmy Yahya.
Later in a media conference, Azmy said 400 APM personnel would be mobilised to assist in monitoring and observing the situation in ESSZone from April 15.
He said the posting of APM personnel to assist the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) was a decision approved by the cabinet last Dec.
"The APM personnel are suited for the role as they comprised local residents in ESSZone who would be the eyes and ears of ESSCom," he added.
He, however, said APM would not be involved in armed patrol under ESSCom. — Bernama