KUALA LUMPUR: The 2019 Budget allocation announced earlier this months has seen a drastic reduction for the Defence Ministry, specifically for Sabah.
Former Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said as the Barisan Nasional's Shadow Cabinet Defense Committee chairman, it was his responsibility to emphasise on the reduction of budget allocation in safeguarding Sabah's security.
"The budget for the Maritime Defence had been reduced to RM 583,930,800 compared to last year.
"The Maritime Defence covers the operations of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) to maintain defence cooperation through bilateral and multilateral activities, such as the MALINDOPHIL Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) established with Indonesia and Phillippines.
"The Tripartite Cooperation includes air and maritime patrols are held to counter terrorist threats associated with the Islamic State, and ensure the safety of the Sulu Sea continues to be maintained, "he said in a statement, here today.
Hishammuddin who was also a former Home Minister said the allocation for Operations in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE) was reduced to RM 22,607,200 compared to last year.
"There is no provision for a future base in Labuan and Lahad Datu and the aircraft defence system to safeguard Sabah's waters.
"The reduced allocation certainly does not provide an indication of the government's effort to protect the interests of Sabah’s defence and security, "he said.
He said what was more worrisome was on the report released by Marine Link on October 30 as well as the information received by the Sharing Centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (RECAAP).
"ReCAAP received a report from the maritime defence agency in the Philippines that 10 members of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group, complete with firearms, were planning to engage in abduction activities in several locations in Sabah.
"The report also emphasised that the kidnappers had targeted foreign businessmen and ship crews by using unmarked speedboats designed for shallow waters.
"On October 31, Eastern Sabah Security Command Commander (ESSCOM) Datuk Hazani Ghazali confirmed that he had received the same report from his counterparts in the Philippines, "he said.
Subsequently, he said, ESSCOM's security levels was placed at the highest level and all in-field assets and front-end control posts had been placed on alert and pushed to increase patrols in the waters.
"Based on the reports and news stories in relation to security level in Sabah waters a few days before the budget presentation showed that the situation was worrying.
He said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun revealed arrest of seven Abu Sayyaf group members comprising Philippine citizens in Sabah, two days ago.
Those arrested were abducted by kidnapping for ransom in Sabah and south of Philippines said Hishammuddin.
"Obviously Sabahans' safety is no longer a priority for the Federal Government, "he said.