KOTA KINABALU: The relocation of the Lok Kawi army base to, and placement of maritime assets in, Sabah’s east coast to intensify security would be timely in view of the increased influx of tourists.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew, in supporting Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s call on the matter, said such a move would prevent the recurrence of security threats from people coming from “a neighbouring country”, given that foreign tourists and investors were showing increasing interest in Sabah.
Relocating the Lok Kawi army base will be a crucial step towards beefing up security in the east coast. It is imperative that we ensure the safety of both locals and tourists visiting islands and offshore resorts.
“Equally important is the pressing need to restore public and investors' confidence as well as step up overall safety,” she said in a statement.
Liew, who is also state tourism, culture and environment minister, stressed that Sabah cannot afford to jeopardise its booming tourism industry as the sector was indisputably a significant contributor to the state’s economy.
“With reinforcement of the defence infrastructure, we hope the kidnappings in Sabah will not happen again,” she said, in apparent reference to the latest kidnapping of 10 fishermen off Lahad Datu.
On Tuesday, Shafie had said the state government wants security infrastructure and relevant assets to be placed at areas prone to cross-border crimes, particularly kidnapping.
He had said he had forwarded suggestions with regards to improving Sabah security to the top federal authorities to be considered.
Among the suggestions were the possibility of relocating the Lok Kawi army camp and placing of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) assets in the east coast, where sea robbery and kidnap-for-ransom often takes place.
Shafie had stressed such a move was not a political one, but for national interests in the effort to ramp up safety.
- June 20, 2019
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