PUTRAJAYA: The government is not ruling out the possibility that information from officers and agencies under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) are being channelled to the enemies.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said although no blame has been assigned to any parties, the scenario remains possible.
"I am not accusing anyone but it is not impossible for information to be passed to our enemies.
"However we are dealing with the problem through various methods and efforts which we have already identified," he told reporters after closing the Economy Mulataqa (meeting) by the Islam Consultative Council, today.
Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, is working with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to address the problem and has brought the matter to the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
"I am fully aware of the problem...something is being done in the pipeline to strengthen our enforcement efforts," he said.
Zahid also said the enemies were constantly looking for loopholes, opportunities and weaknesses.
There are concerns that information is being obtained about the operations carried out by Esscom staff, he added.
"They (enemies) are also aware of the assets required by Esscom and its related enforcement agencies may not be complete, thus the strengths and weaknesses are well-known."
"Although our economic restraint may not allow us to be fully equipped with the necessary assets, it is not an impossible task especially with the commitment from enforcement agencies and cooperation from individuals in the gazetted zones," he said.
On the rampant spate of kidnappings in Sabah, Zahid said there are groups working for kidnap-for-ransom outfits.
He said the Abu Sayyaf terror group is also collecting large sums of funds and there are fears it may be used to strengthen the Katibah Nusantara militant group to further unite other terror groups operating in Southeast Asia.