PETALING JAYA: The Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) is safer than the streets of Kuala Lumpur, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim on Thursday.
He said this was due to the high security levels that are in place in Sabah, thanks to the presence of enforcement agencies under the state's Eastern Security Command (Esscom).
Shahidan said he visited the state regularly to ensure the areas are safe.
"I even went to a 'feared area' known as the ice box without my security details because I want to make sure this country is safe.
"What is good about the Esszone is that we are on alert on any threats from outside forces and we are also able to keep close watch on crime within, so in that sense, it is safer than Kuala Lumpur.
"I chatted with a tourist from Great Britain there recently and asked him what made him come back for the third time, and he replied that he felt safer here because there are security forces everywhere," said Shahidan in response to a supplementary question by Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) who asked to state the number of people who were arrested since the establishment of Esscom and Esszone after the Lahad Datu intrusion last year as well as the curfew imposed there.
Shahidan said the curfew imposed in the area did not cause inconvenience or hardship on the people as special permits are issued for those who are carrying out economic activities such as fishing and tourism.
"The people there are happier because if there are unusual activities or movements at night, we can detect them," he said.
Shahidan said next year, with the allocation in Budget 2015 for Esscom, the safety in the zone would be enhanced further with the installation of radar equipment.
He also said that tourism activities in Esszone have picked up as tour operators and resort owners are satisfied with the security measures in place.
Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/10/30/Shahidan-Esszone-Kuala-Lumpur/
