KOTA KINABALU: Security forces in eastern Sabah have doubled their manpower and assets to curb illegal entries from Indonesia and the Philippines.

 

The usual patrols and operations are ongoing but efforts have been put in place to strengthen the security forces, said Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) Commander Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

 

He said there was also more focus placed on identified and suspected backdoor routes to curb illegal entries.

“Taking into account the situation of Covid-19, we too are doing our part to minimise intrusion from citizens of these two countries,” he said. Concerns are growing over the possible illegal entries from these two countries seeing that Indonesia has 311 cases with 25 deaths and the Philippines 217 cases with 17 deaths as of March 20.

 

“We are aware of the Sulawesi mass religious gatherings and that is why we are also working with our Kalimantan counterparts to better guard the borderlines,” Hazani said. He said the Sabah security forces had good relations with their security counterparts in the Philippines and Indonesia. 

 

Meanwhile, he said security and other measures had been taken to handle the reopening of the ferry terminal from Tawau to Nunukan, Indonesia, on March 19 and 20. 

The ferry service in Tawau district was initially closed following the movement control order (MCO) on March 18, but reopened for operations on March 19. 

 

Chief of the Indonesian Consulate-General’s Office in Tawau, Sulistijo Djati Ismojo said the ferry service was for Indonesians to return home after their visit to Sabah.

 

He advised those who choose to remain in Sabah to abide by the MCO, adding that the consulate managed to get the ferry service to operate for these two days following discussions and diplomatic ties with the State Government.

 

The ferry service from Tawau to Nunukan is among the most frequently used transport among Indonesians who wish to return to their hometowns. – the Star