The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) is a Malaysian security area that covers 1,400 km of the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau.[1] It was announced on 7 March 2013 by Musa Aman, the Sabah State Chief Minister.[2] Its purpose is to strengthen maritime security in the eastern part of Sabah following the persistent attacks by pirates and militants in the southern Philippines especially after the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff, while at the same time ensuring that trade and business activity are not affected.[1] The ESSCOM headquarters and main bases is at Lahad Datu.
| Eastern Sabah Security Command | |
|---|---|
Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Pantai Timur Sabah | |
| Part of National Security Council | |
| Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia | |
 ESSCOM area. | |
| Type | Security Command of Eastern Sabah Area |
| Site information | |
| Owner |  Government of Malaysia |
| Controlled by | Joint operations of Malaysian Armed Forces Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency |
| Site history | |
| Built | 2013 |
| In use | 2013–present |
| Battles/wars | 2013 Lahad Datu standoff Cross border attacks in Sabah |
| Garrison information | |
| Current commander | DCP Datuk Victor Sanjos (Since Jun 2023) |
| Garrison | Headquarters: Lahad Datu Area districts: Kudat Sandakan Lahad Datu Kunak Tawau |
On 8 July 2014, then Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the restructuring of the ESSCOM with the setting up of two major components - security and defence management as well as enforcement and public action.
Scope
editESSCOM is the authoritative body that oversees Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE), which comprises the districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.[1][3][4] The body is chaired by the Chief Minister of Sabah, assisted by a CEO appointed by the government.[5][3] ESSCOM's primary initiative is the establishment of new police stations to further improve security.[6]
Visits
editOn 9 June 2014, around 20 students from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) visited ESSCOM headquarters to know the concept of the security area, particularly its integrated operations involving various agencies as well as procedures in dealing with challenges and issues that arise. The delegation was led by Major General Sir Sebastian John Lechmere Roberts along with other 19 senior military officers and civilians from various countries including Sudan, Lebanon, Italy, Estonia, Egypt, Ghana, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Kenya and the United Kingdom.[7] On 25 August 2016, four Japanese delegates from the Japan Terrorism Prevention Unit also visited ESSCOM.[8]
Director-General
editThe Director-General of ESSCOM is selected on a rotational basis.[9]
| Name | Former Position | Take office | Out Office | Time in office | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Datuk Mohammad Mentek | Head of Immigration, Sabah | 01/04/2013 | 7/08/2014 | 1 year | First sabahan and non police appoint as Esscom commander |
| Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun | Police, Internal Security and Public Order, former Pasukan Gerakan Khas VAT69 commander.[10] | 08/08/2014 | 22/12/2015 | 1 year | Rashid involve during early stage standoff with negotiations to Sulu militants.After end 2nd Esscom commander he appoint as Sabah police commissioner before retired on 2017 |
| Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid | Kuala Lumpur Public Order Department head | 23/12/2015 | 18/07/2017 | 2 year | |
| Datuk Hazani Ghazali | Police, Special Actions Unit Commander | 19/07/2017 | 04/09/2020 | 3 years | He appoint as Internal and Public Order Security Department director in late 2020 |
| DCP Dato Ahmad Fuad Othman | Brigade Sarawak, General Operations Force Commander | 5/09/2020 | 11/12/2021 | 1 year | |
| DCP Ahmad Hamzah | Federal Reserve Unit Commander | 12/12/21 | 17/05/2023 | 1 year | Transfer to Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department Bukit Aman |
| DCP Mohd Ali Tamby | Special Actions Unit (Malaysia) & Chief Staff Special Force Esscom | 18/05/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 1 month | |
| DCP Victor Sanjos | Deputy Police Chief of Kelantan police | 11/06/2023 (unofficial) & 3/07/2023 (official duty) -now | 1 year | 2nd sabahan |
See also
edit- Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE)
References
edit- ^ a b c "ESSZONE Set up to halt incursions". The Star (Malaysia).
- ^ "Phase one of security area named ESS Com". The Star (Malaysia).
- ^ a b "Security area widened in east Sabah". New Straits Times.
- ^ "Sabah Immigration director is Esscom chief". New Straits Times.
- ^ "Government-appointed CEO to oversee operations of Eastern Sabah Security Command". The Star (Malaysia).
- ^ "Government forms East Sabah Safe Zone". New Straits Times.
- ^ "RCDS students visit ESSCOM HQ". New Sabah Times. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
- ^ "Japanese officials visit Esscom". Daily Express (Malaysia). 26 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
- ^ [1], "Beliau berkata, tempoh pelantikan itu adalah selama enam bulan dan ia dilaksanakan secara bergilir-gilir."
- ^ [2], VAT69 commander to lead Esscom in power restructure