Sabah and Border Security Issues

Recently a Taiwanese man was shot dead by the terrorist and his female companion was kidnapped at gun point from the POM-POM Island which is situated outskirt of Semporna, Sabah. POM-POM Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Taiwanese tourists.

Again, people are questioning the measures taken by the relevant authorities and enforcement agencies for the lax of security in Sabah. And their obvious target is PDRM where the homeland security which comes within their jurisdiction.The Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE) is a security zone in Sabah that includes the eastern districts of Kudat to Tawau. Meanwhile, The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)is the authoritative body that oversees Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE). Therefore many had questioned the effectiveness of ESSCOM and ESSZONE safeguarding the security issues in Sabah.

The points that these people who are so critical about the lax of security in Sabah are failed to understand the geographical and the vast border which starts from west to east and north to south is difficult to manage. For an example the eastern coast of Sabah covers the area of 1,400 km.

Even the country like India which has the superior navy with advanced maritime technology and weapons failed to deter the Mumbai terrorist attack in 2008. This was the first of its kind attack where terrorist who comes from Pakistan had launched an attack against India which killed more 150 people including the terrorist and injured more than 600 people.

This is the first transnational terrorist attack which had a devastated impact on the security measures taken by Indian security forces to safeguard their border even though Mumbai is always on high alert. One of the main outcomes of the investigation on this attack was the terrorist may got help from inside to identify the targets and logistics assistance. In my opinion, this is lax of intelligence and subsequent failure of the cooperation between intelligence and security forces which had led to the terrorist attack in Mumbai.

The Lahad Datu and POM-POM Island terrorist attack can be classified into this category. This is why because of the vast border with open high sea makes security forces difficult to manage the border and led such lapse had occurred. One had to remember, ESSOCOM and ESSZONE have been created a few months ago and the full fledge of the implementation of its strategies, policies and measures probably will need time to be successful.

For example, in United Kingdom, until 2001 the biggest terrorist attacks were conducted by IRA and its splinter group i.e. provisional IRA. Even though security forces in UK are well trained and had a lot of experience handling such attacks and successfully implemented preventive measures but they are still unable to foil the 2005 London terrorist attack.

Similarly in United States of America, even though World Trade Centre (WTC) was attacked by the terrorist in 1993 but they are unable to prevent another attack in 2001 which ground zero the site. This has led to a drastic change of intelligence procedures, security forces and even the foreign policies which had emphasize the homeland security as the main priority.

Unlike the terrorist attacks in USA and UK where the attacks had executed domestically, the Mumbai attack was originated from border of another country is difficult to prevent. Therefore blaming the current security forces of their lapse is inappropriate. One should engaged by evaluate the existing methods and procedures that the security forces using now and find ways to incorporate new and innovative methods and modes to enhance the security level in Sabah.

Not only by placing seven police stations and five battalions of security forces with a PGA brigade will enhance the security in Sabah, they also need to strength the efforts to increase the security of the nation’s maritime borders by having Border Patrol agents, technology, and infrastructure.

The Border Patrol agents can be comprised of police, army, RELA, CUSTOM and Immigration officers. In addition, the authority must place Malaysia Special Operations Force which consists of 10 Paratrooper Brigade, Grup Gerak Khas (GGK), Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL), Pasukan Khas Udara (PASKAU), Pasukan Gerakan Khas (PGK), Unit Gempur Marin (UNGERIN), Trup Tindakan Cepat (meaning: Rapid Actions Troops) and Special Task And Rescue (STAR) in Sabah to increase the security level to deter the terrorist to launch another attack in Sabah. The presence of such forces will dissuade terrorists to launch another attack in Sabah.

Apart from that there is a need to deploy of Border Liaison Officers to collaborate with their Philippines and Indonesian counterparts on border security issues within ‘triangle spectrum’ where most of the breach of security is arising by sharing and exchanging intelligence.

Further the creation of more canine teams, non-intrusive inspection systems, Mobile Surveillance Systems, Remote Video Surveillance Systems, thermal imaging systems and radiation portal monitors will help the Border Patrol Agents to safeguard our borders exclusively in Sabah.

We also can secure our nation's maritime borders through a layered security system that begins beyond the country's physical borders. At-sea presence deters potential threats, provides mobile surveillance coverage, increases warning time, and enables Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and/or other security forces to address potential threats before these terrorist can cause harm to the Sabah.

The relevant security forces also can conduct waterborne and aerial patrols as well as armed escorts at tourist destinations in Sabah and by putting high alert on the risk of terrorism to the Marine Transportation System, critical infrastructure and key resources will make the relevant security and enforcement agencies more vigilant.

We also can form Special Security Tasks Force on Maritime together with existing STAR which can respond rapidly to terrorist together existing security forces at critical areas in Sabah, which focus on domestic maritime threats and post-incident response.

In my view, past twenty years many security breaches had occurred on eastern coast of Sabah. This shows that the intelligence officers in this region need to be retrained by exposing various modern intelligence methods and modes so that they can be superior to terrorists. Further intelligence apparatus need to be upgraded by incorporating latest technology to monitor, collect and analyze all the data regarding with the security issues. The findings of these analyses need to be shared with the public so that they can play a crucial role to prevent by informing to the security forces of forthcoming a terrorist attack. One need to remember the assistance and collaboration of the public to deter such situation is important which was incorporated in the 9/11 Commission Report.The current intelligence officers who are failed to live the expectations need to be replaced instantaneously for the sake of national security. If not, then another Lahad Datu terrorist’s invasion is highly possible.

According to United Kingdom government website i.e. gov.uk had placed Sabah on high alert where they indicated travellers to eastern coast must take high precautionary measures. By this reflection on the foreign government website will damage the economics of the country but also the sovereignty of state will be in stake. We have to defend our nation with all means from foreign invasion whether from terrorist or intruders.

To be more effective, not only focusing on eastern coast of Sabah, the authority should extend the measures and strategies to the entire country. Managing national security especially border security issues need to be very discreet because it’s involved international relations.

Comment:

This opinion was published at Borneo Post on 3/1/14. Herein the said link:-
http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/01/03/border-security-issues-in-sabah/