KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is keeping track of what is happening in the southern Philippines to ensure that threats and unwanted elements do not creep into the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said this included concern about the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the southern Philippines, which might affect Sabah.
“We have had several meetings (on security) in Sabah and as the chairman of the state security council, I’m looking at various angles to ensure this is managed properly,” he said after presenting the National Sovereignty Medal to the 953 police personnel who had served in Op Daulat during the Kampung Tanduo intrusion in 2013.
“With the challenges we had in the past, we cannot take this lightly.
“What’s important is being able to work closely and build a close rapport...
“I will meet the Philippine ambassador very soon and I am going to raise our concerns on how best we can work together with other neighbouring countries to ensure the safety of the people.”
BOL provides for the establishment of an autonomous political entity known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, who was at the event, said police were working with the state government to monitor the security situation.
“We are making full use of our resources to ensure a spillover will not create security problems in our country, particularly Sabah.”