THE Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) was established on March 7, 2013, with a firm goal of maintaining and strengthening the maritime security in the eastern part of Sabah, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) covering 1,700 km of the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau.
Additionally, it gives confidence, especially to the maritime community, tourists and investors, that the ESSZone is safe for them to carry out any activity. The public requires the agency to maintain security not only for their wellbeing but also to ensure that trade and business activities will proceed smoothly.
From time to time, various operations have focused on the ESSZone, with emphasis on consolidating security aspects at international borders, such as Operation Sanggah and continuing operations such as Op Gasak Laut and Op Gasak Darat. These efforts have reduced the number of crimes, especially those linked to kidnapping and demand for ransom.
While ESSCOM is led by the Royal Malaysia Police, other enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Armed Forces also have their specific role in maintaining security.
ESSCOM's role is not merely to control security but also to ensure the success of various government agendas, as well as coordinate public action programmes within the ESSZone community, including programmes to improve the socioeconomic status of residents.
It is undeniable that crimes on the high seas are becoming increasingly sophisticated, endangering human life, national security and the economic growth of the region and jeopardising global safety.
Maritime security requires appropriate border control measures along the maritime border crossing points to help the states better deal with transnational organised crimes including piracy, terrorism, migrant smuggling, human trafficking and arms proliferation.
Last year, the government approved an allocation of RM20 million to increase the tactical assets of ESSCOM to strengthen the security controls in the ESSZone and to establish a checkpoint on Puau Sebatik against non-conventional vessels called kumpit that are involved in barter trade and transhipment activities, as well as to establish another battalion of the General Operations Force to strengthen the security forces' capabilities at the country's borders with the Philippines and Indonesia.
To boost the relevancy of ESSCOM and to ensure that it fulfils its tasks, a few strategies should be considered.
First is the adoption of newer technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs and drones would boost the surveillance and monitoring efforts in the expansive coastal area.
It can be challenging for police to monitor the ESSZone's combined area of 10 districts which covers an area from Kudat to Tawau. Thus, optimising the use of UAVs will not only reduce the safety risks of our security personnel but also increase the aerial domain that we can patrol.
Secondly, there is preventive security through a continuous risk management process, including procedures for deterrence and threat transfer lines. It is time to think about establishing and integrating Border Management Information Systems, including the developed Migration Information and Data Analysis System.
This system is designed to collect, process and store travellers' information at border crossing points and will enhance the state's capacity to identify and apprehend travellers who pose a security threat.
Thirdly, it is paramount to include the community in maintaining security by joining forces with the community to curb any activity that has the potential to pose a security threat.
Programmes and activities are important to further strengthen the relationship between the people and ESSCOM as cooperation among them is necessary to ensure security and peace are maintained.
Other relevant agencies (non-uniformed bodies) should also be involved so that they will have an awareness and responsibility for the country's security. Defending the country is a Total Defence concept, and it applies to the Whole of Society and Whole of Government (WoGoS) approach as stated in the Malaysia Defence White Paper.
Furthermore, defending the nation is not the sole responsibility of the enforcement agencies, but it is also the obligation of every citizen.
Despite all the challenges, the existence of ESSCOM for almost 12 years is unquestionably relevant as it shoulders the responsibility of looking after the maritime security of eastern Sabah and curbing threats, especially against transnational cross-border crimes.
The writer is Assistant Director For the Contemporary Security Study Centre, Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (MiDAS)