April 29, 2017
By Olivia Miwil
LAHAD DATU: MALAYSIA will seek closer collaboration with the Philippines and Indonesa to strengthen security under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday the trilateral partnership was crucial for efficiency as Esscom had to defend vast areas with a coastline of 1,773km.
"Esscom already has the foundation but we need to have better coordination among agencies. We should share initiatives on what we have across the board.
"For example, Malaysia's military diplomacy with Indonesia and the Philippines can be used (as a basis) to expand (the collaboration) to other (security) agencies and Esscom," he said, adding that it was to ensure no wastage of assets, quicker response time and the sharing of intelligence.
Hishammudin said this after being briefed by Esscom as special functions minister. As the newly-appointed Special Functions Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Esscom has been placed under his purview.
He said Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines were facing similar enemies, so a smart partnership a the international level would be critical.
"The blurring of lines between security and defence is aglobal phenomenon as militancy is related to cross-border crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
"On (the offensive) in southern Philippines, I am happy (Philippine President Rodrigo) Duterte has shown a strong political will to combat militants," he said.
Hishammuddin said the government had been keeping tabs on the possibility that Islamic State militants could make the region surrounding the Sulu sea their new base, should they lose the fight in Syria and Iraq.
However, he said, there was yet any information or intelligence suggesting this.
Last week, it was reported that 57 Malaysians who had joined IS in Syria were planning to return.
On recent populism moves in Sabah, Hishammuddin said people should think rationally whether certain politicians were able to deliver their promises should they come into power.
"It is right that Sabah is for Sabahans, but can they defend the state without the peninsular people (federal government)? Will the oil royalty be enough to build schools and pay the teachers?" asked Hishammuddin, who is also Umno vice-president.
He said the Defence Ministry had invested a lot, in the form of assets and manpower, in Sabah.
Present at the briefing yesterday were Esscom chief executive officer Noor Alam Khan Abdul Wahid Khan and Esscom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid.
By Olivia Miwil
LAHAD DATU: MALAYSIA will seek closer collaboration with the Philippines and Indonesa to strengthen security under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday the trilateral partnership was crucial for efficiency as Esscom had to defend vast areas with a coastline of 1,773km.
"Esscom already has the foundation but we need to have better coordination among agencies. We should share initiatives on what we have across the board.
"For example, Malaysia's military diplomacy with Indonesia and the Philippines can be used (as a basis) to expand (the collaboration) to other (security) agencies and Esscom," he said, adding that it was to ensure no wastage of assets, quicker response time and the sharing of intelligence.
Hishammudin said this after being briefed by Esscom as special functions minister. As the newly-appointed Special Functions Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Esscom has been placed under his purview.
He said Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines were facing similar enemies, so a smart partnership a the international level would be critical.
"The blurring of lines between security and defence is aglobal phenomenon as militancy is related to cross-border crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
"On (the offensive) in southern Philippines, I am happy (Philippine President Rodrigo) Duterte has shown a strong political will to combat militants," he said.
Hishammuddin said the government had been keeping tabs on the possibility that Islamic State militants could make the region surrounding the Sulu sea their new base, should they lose the fight in Syria and Iraq.
However, he said, there was yet any information or intelligence suggesting this.
Last week, it was reported that 57 Malaysians who had joined IS in Syria were planning to return.
On recent populism moves in Sabah, Hishammuddin said people should think rationally whether certain politicians were able to deliver their promises should they come into power.
"It is right that Sabah is for Sabahans, but can they defend the state without the peninsular people (federal government)? Will the oil royalty be enough to build schools and pay the teachers?" asked Hishammuddin, who is also Umno vice-president.
He said the Defence Ministry had invested a lot, in the form of assets and manpower, in Sabah.
Present at the briefing yesterday were Esscom chief executive officer Noor Alam Khan Abdul Wahid Khan and Esscom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid.
x
Comments
Post a Comment