Eastern Sabah Security Command

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) is a Malaysian security area that covers 1,400 km of the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau.[1] It was established by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib bin Abdul Razak and announced on 7 March 2013 by Musa Aman, the Sabah State Chief Minister.[2] Its purpose is to strengthen maritime security in the eastern part of Sabah following the persistent attacks by pirates and militants in the southern Philippines especially after the 2013 Lahad Datu standoff, while at the same time ensuring that trade and business activity are not affected.[1] The ESSCOM headquarters and main bases is at Lahad Datu.

Eastern Sabah Security Command
Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Pantai Timur Sabah
Part of National Security Council
Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
  ESSCOM area.
TypeSecurity Command of Eastern Sabah Area
Site information
OwnerMalaysia
Controlled byJoint operations of
Malaysian Armed Forces
Royal Malaysia Police
and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Site history
Built2013
In use2013–present
Battles/wars2013 Lahad Datu standoff
Cross border attacks in Sabah
Garrison information
Current
commander		DCP Vector Sanjos (Since Jun 2023)
GarrisonHeadquarters:
Lahad Datu

Area districts:
Kudat
Sandakan
Lahad Datu
Kunak
Tawau

On 8 July 2014, then Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the restructuring of the ESSCOM with the setting up of two major components - security and defence management as well as enforcement and public action.

Scope

ESSCOM is the authoritative body that oversees Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE), which comprises the districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.[1][3][4] The body is chaired by the Chief Minister of Sabah, assisted by a CEO appointed by the government.[5][3] ESSCOM's primary initiative is the establishment of new police stations to further improve security.[6]

Visits

On 9 June 2014, around 20 students from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) visited ESSCOM headquarters to know the concept of the security area, particularly its integrated operations involving various agencies as well as procedures in dealing with challenges and issues that arise. The delegation was led by Major General Sir Sebastian John Lechmere Roberts along with other 19 senior military officers and civilians from various countries including Sudan, Lebanon, Italy, Estonia, Egypt, Ghana, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Kenya and the United Kingdom.[7] On 25 August 2016, four Japanese delegates from the Japan Terrorism Prevention Unit also visited ESSCOM.[8]

Director-General

The Director-General of ESSCOM is selected on a rotational basis.[9]

Name Former Position Take office
Datuk Mohammad Mentek Head of Immigration, Sabah 01/04/2013 7/08/2014
Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun Police, Internal Security and Public Order, former Pasukan Gerakan Khas VAT69 commander.[10] 08/08/2014 22/12/2015
Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid Kuala Lumpur Public Order Department head 23/12/2015 18/07/2017
Datuk Hazani Ghazali Police, Special Actions Unit Commander 19/07/2017 04/09/2020
Dato Ahmad Fuad Othman Brigade Sarawak, General Operations Force Commander 5/09/20 11/12/21
DCP Ahmad Hamzah Federal Reserve Unit Commander 12/12/21 - now

See also

References
  1. "ESSZONE Set up to halt incursions". The Star (Malaysia).
  2. "Phase one of security area named ESS Com". The Star (Malaysia).
  3. "Security area widened in east Sabah". New Straits Times.
  4. "Sabah Immigration director is Esscom chief". New Straits Times.
  5. "Government-appointed CEO to oversee operations of Eastern Sabah Security Command". The Star (Malaysia).
  6. "Government forms East Sabah Safe Zone". New Straits Times.
  7. "RCDS students visit ESSCOM HQ". New Sabah Times. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  8. "Japanese officials visit Esscom". Daily Express (Malaysia). 26 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  9. , "Beliau berkata, tempoh pelantikan itu adalah selama enam bulan dan ia dilaksanakan secara bergilir-gilir."
  10. , VAT69 commander to lead Esscom in power restructure
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