Sabah security needs improvement

Jaswinder Kaur, New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur

Although the government spent millions to beef up security on the east coast after Malaysians and foreign tourists were abducted from Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Pandanan three years ago, a third kidnapping happened again on Oct. 5.

Sabah dailies and national newspapers front-paged reports of the incident at the Borneo Paradise Eco Farm Resort in Kunak, showing how serious the issue is.

Initially it was reported that the kidnapping could be the work of local criminals and later, there was indication that locals may have received help from "outsiders".

For three weeks, there was no sign of the six victims or of the gunmen although security forces had mounted massive air, sea and land search for them.

Each time the authorities were asked about the matter, reporters were told that the gunmen and the hostages could still be within territorial waters and that the search was on-going.

Then, eco farm resort receptionist Novelito Arcosel, 19, was rescued in Tawi Tawi in the southern Philippines last week.

The fact that Novelito was in the Philippines gives strong indication that if local bandits were indeed involved, they did get help from outsiders.

The hard work put in by security forces was shattered in a matter of minutes when the abduction took place, but they are not to be wholly blamed. Sabah has, after all, a coastline of 1,440 kilometers with the South China Sea in the west and north, the Sulu Sea in the northeast and the Celebes Sea in the southeast.

There are many islands and estuaries making them perfect hideouts for those with criminal intentions, and difficult for security forces to guard every inch.

The other issue is that locals continue to hire foreigners without first checking their background. Although a majority work in Sabah to improve their livelihood, some probably have connections back home and are willing to provide information to bad hats to make a quick buck.

Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, who is also State Security Council chairman, pointed out that employers involved in the tourism industry must check the background of their workers, especially those hired as security guards.

"Tourism operators should also constantly monitor security guards that they have hired," Musa had said several days after the kidnapping.

The issue of hiring foreign guards was highlighted by Deputy Defense Minister Shafie Apdal when police detained for questioning a foreigner employed as a security guard.

The man had managed to escape from the gunmen, raising suspicion that he may have been involved. However, he was later freed.

Musa had also suggested that resorts at islands and coastal areas which were not guarded by security forces, should have up- to-date telecommunication facilities to raise the alarm should there be an intrusion.

Tourism players reacted positively to this suggestion, with some calling on the government to follow up on the matter.

Whatever steps that the government plans to take following the incident, it should get the support of the private sector and the public at large.

The people should be sensitive and report to the authorities if they are suspicious about happenings in their surroundings.

The first two abductions did have negative implication on the local tourism industry, which at that time was just picking up after the regional financial crisis.

Although there has been minimal impact on tourism after the latest incident, Sabah cannot afford a fourth kidnapping.