Esscom DG denies fishermen kidnapping incident

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohamad Mantek has denied that a kidnapping case involving a fisherman happened in Pulau Mubul, Sabah, Wednesday, as reported by The Star Online.

Instead, he said in Wednesday's incident, two fishermen were detained by individuals in a speedboat between Pulau Denawan and Mabul.

"They were not kidnapped but detained and released within 24 hours. Nothing untoward happened," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He also said the group had no links with the Sulu army.

Mohamad said police had recorded statements from the victims and were investigating the motive and the strength of the group.

He added that police were tracking the group down and sea patrols by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Operations Force had been stepped up.

It was earlier reported that a group of about 20 heavily-armed gunmen abducted a fisherman and demanded to be guided to a holiday resort on Pulau Mabul, but were taken to an army camp on the island instead. - Bernama

Published: Wednesday August 28, 2013 MYT 9:18:00 PM 

Esscom DG: Increased security for Pulau Mabul area

KOTA KINABALU: Security officials are increasing patrols along Sabah's eastern borders as a precautionary measure following Tuesday's incident close to the tourist resort island of Mabul in Semporna.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek said that increased patrols were being carried out by security officials who are placed at various strategic areas along the 1,733km coastline from northern Kudat to southeastern Tawau district, that comprise 480 inhabited and uninhabited islands.

"Obviously we can't have men stationed everywhere, but we have stepped up patrols by the various security agencies to ensure that the sovereignty of the country is not breached," he said when contacted Thursday.

Mohammad said that people should not panic as rumours about the return of defeated Sulu intruders was a ''psy war" aimed at frightening and disrupting the harmony of the people.

He said that the armed intruders who held the local fishermen off Semporna were just "sea pirates" and not linked to the Sulu army or any of the militant groups based in a neighbouring country.

"It just the work of normal criminals, it was not a case of kidnapping for ransom," he said, adding that the police were investigating the fishermen's claims.

Meanwhile, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said police are in the process of recording statements from the local fishermen who were allegedly taken as "hostages", and also to determine the identity of the group.

"Police are still investigating the case as well as to determine if the alleged suspects are involved in terrorism activities," he said.

Elaborating on the incident which took place close to Pulau Kapalai between 6.30pm and 9pm on Aug 27, Hamza said initial police investigations showed that the suspects had robbed the fishermen of their money, handphones and other valuables.

"None of the victims were harmed by the suspects and were released after being robbed," he said, adding that the case is currently being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and Section 4 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penalties) 1971.

He said that almost every island, including mainland Semporna had security bases under Esscom.

A fisherman had claimed that about 20 gunmen in a speedboat armed with shotguns and pistols had ordered him to guide them towards Pulau Mabul.

They claimed the gunmen headed towards international waters and took another eight fisherman hostages before freeing all of them a few hours later.

BY MUGUNTAN VANAR

STAR

General Police Exhibition and Conference 2013

GPEC Asia 2013 is the region’s only exhibition and conference exclusively for specific members of the enforcement agencies, primarily, the police force as well as other law and security enforcement authorities such as the prisons, customs, immigration, civil defence, the military police and selected private security organisations. 


Date/Time : 02 - 04 October 2013
Venue : PICC (Putrajaya International Convention Centre)

DSEI 2013: Record number of international pavilions to be hosted

Posted 13 July 2013 by Asian Military review

Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2013 is on course to host a record 40 international pavilions when the exhibition takes place at ExCeL London from 10 – 13 September.

DSEI is the world’s largest showcase of land, maritime and air applications of defence and security products, equipment and systems. Nations making their debut this year includeIndonesia,Japan,Malaysia,South KoreaandTaiwan, clear evidence of the importance that these key emerging players place on DSEI.India, a previous exhibitor, is increasing its presence significantly, mounting both public and private sector pavilions.

Other newcomers includeChile, which will be joiningBrazilin representing Latin American growth markets, while the UAE is the latest addition to the list of Middle Eastern nations at the event.

DSEI Event Director, Duncan Reid, said, ‘Throughout the last 18 months we have operated an intensive programme of engagement with government buyers and decision makers from the key growth markets of Latin America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, as well as the more traditional markets of North America and Europe. The global platform that DSEI provides for the sale and procurement of defence and security products and equipment is now recognised by responsible governments around the world’.

He continued, ‘The countries that mount pavilions send high powered delegations to the show, which benefits everyone. Reinforcing this, we are staging our biggest ever drive to bring top quality official delegations to the event. DSEI 2013 will be a truly international show’.

TLDM perlu 6 kapal selam

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Julai - Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) memerlukan sekurang-kurangnya enam buah kapal selam bagi membentuk angkatan yang berupaya mengawal sempadan maritim negara secara berkesan.
Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri berkata, aset pertahanan itu penting kerana kedudukan Malaysia di kawasan tengah Asia Tenggara terdedah dengan konflik bilateral dengan negara-negara jiran termasuk isu Kepulauan Spratly.
Menurut beliau, angkatan kapal selam tersebut juga diperlukan untuk membuat rondaan di Zon Ekonomi Eksklusif (EEZ) negara seluas kira-kira 600 kilometer persegi yang kaya dengan hasil perikanan, minyak dan gas dianggarkan bernilai trilion ringgit.
"Walaupun Singapura tidak mempunyai sempadan perairan yang besar, negara itu mempunyai enam buah kapal selam dan beberapa aset tempur udara yang canggih.
"Baru-baru ini, Vietnam juga bercadang membeli enam buah kapal selam dan Indonesia telah memiliki dua buah kapal selam yang dibekalkan Rusia," katanya ketika menggulung perbahasan titah ucapan Yang di-Pertuan Agong di Dewan Negara hari ini.
Terdahulu, Senator Abdul Rahman Bakar bangkit mencelah meminta Kementerian Pertahanan menjelaskan tentang keperluan untuk menambah bilangan kapal selam bagi mengawal perairan negara.
Dalam perkembangan sama, Abdul Rahim menafikan dakwaan pihak tertentu kononnya dua buah kapal selam jenis Scorpene yang dibeli kerajaan tidak berfungsi, sebaliknya KD Tunku Abdul Rahman dan KD Tun Abdul Razak turut membuat rondaan di EEZ negara.
Sementara itu, beliau memberitahu, kerajaan sedang mempertimbangkan pembelian peralatan canggih seperti Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS) dan alat pandang malam untuk digunakan di Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Pantai Timur Sabah (ESSCOM).