Time to review ESSCOM

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) is once again under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Slightly over a year since the Prime Minister announced its formation and barely a week before the first anniversary of the appointment of its top office bearers, ESSCOM is under fire.

ESSCOM is under fire for its perceived ineffectiveness in ensuring the safety and security of Sabah, particularly the east coast of Sabah.

Is ESSCOM, with almost an exact DNA of the Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom) which was formed more than 40 years ago in 1972,  really ineffective?

Is it truly toothless or are we witnessing the failure of those entrusted to make ESSCOM work for the people of Sabah?

This issue was even discussed in Parliament following an Emergency Motion tabled by an Opposition MP from Sabah. While the tabling of the motion is commendable, the Opposition and some Government MPs were obviously more interested in cheap politics rather than wanting a solution.

Calling for the disbandment of ESSCOM is plain stupid. What do you do after ESSCOM is disbanded? Create a new security set up and spend more money?

Linking the kidnapping to RCI on Illegal Immigrants/fake ICs is nothing but cheaper than cheap politics to stir resentment against the ruling coalition. Suggesting the shutting down of resorts on islands of the east coast of Sabah is not smart either.

The emergency motion in Parliament just flowed down into the drain because only a few was interested in finding a solution. A big majority of the MPs were merely pointing fingers.

This latest brouhaha following the kidnapping of two persons from a resort 5 minutes off the coast of Semporna, almost exactly on ESSCOM's first anniversary is indeed a blessing in disguise.

The Government, PM Najib Razak and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman to be specific, must grab this opportunity to initiate a comprehensive review of ESSCOM to enhance its effectiveness.

It would be dumb to say ESSCOM has been useless for the last one year but it would be equally naive to think that all is perfect in the set up and/or the way it is being run.

If we want to have better results and prevent further kidnapping and organized criminal activities on the east coast and Sabah in general, we must initiate change.

An all encompassing review would most certainly tell you what and who to change. For a start, the Government may want to consider someone with the relevant experience to head ESSCOM. This complete review of ESSCOM must also include a review on all the main agencies and their role in the last year.

Non cooperative servants of the government must be shipped out.

This is an opportunity for the Government to enhance the role of ESSCOM and deliver on the promise to make Sabah a safer place for all.

We should not be doing it solely for the tourist dollar. Be sincere and do it because we want our people to be safe in their own country.

Insanity, as quoted above, is if we close our eyes and ears and continue to do the same things over and over again while expecting better results.

Please act now before people lose trust... completely.

True heroes of Pingat Gagah Berani won't forgive you Idris - UPDATED

UPDATE! 1430hrs 12/12/13

Was informed that the Malacca State Secretary's officers are currently preparing a brief statement to REVOKE Idris's statement about wanting to award the PGB.

Was told that even Malacca Governor Tun Khalil Yaakob was shocked by Idris statement. 

Who ordered the State Secretary to revoke the silly statement? Idris... oh Idris! Kenapa kau Idris?

Not sure if this newly minted magnanimous Chief Minister of Malacca did the necessary before making the announcement to award the prestigious medal of bravery to the 11 commando trainees and their trainers. (Idris is magnanimous coz he recently said something like 'I forgive the Chinese for not supporting BN)

Certainly this is not a clever decision. It is a populist decision that would have damaging repercussions. Idris appears like nothing but a desperate politician. I'm sure the real recipients of the prestigious PGB  would be shell shocked with yet another act of stupidity from the government.

CM Idris, please don't forget all those commando trainees who have lost their lives while undergoing training in Terendak since the camp was commissioned there a few decades ago. Going by your standards they surely deserve a PGB…don't they? 

When will such stupidity come to an end?  We had dummies with Pingat Kedaulatan Negara a few months ago. 

What next?

Pingat KEDAULATAN Negara for Dummies

I'm sure the pictures above would bring back a wide range of memories of Ops Sulu - Ops Daulat in Lahad Datu Sabah. 

Ops Sulu, which was later re-named Ops Daulat due to local sensitivities, was launched after a bunch of foreign funded lunatics presumably under the control of a crazy old man (who thinks he is the Sultan of Sulu and the rightful owner of Sabah) invaded Kampung Tanduo near Lahad Datu. The intruders were armed and our security forces (at that point of time confined to PDRM personnel) quickly cordoned the area.

Due to reasons and instruction which can't be spelled out here, the approved approach at that point of time was to end the stand-off without any bloodshed. Emissaries were dispatched to Manila and a few other locations to negotiate for those bunch of lunatics to leave Kampung Tanduo without any untoward incident. 

We realised a little too late that these were not a bunch of ordinary lunatics but part of a bigger scheme of things orchestrated from a different level. That is a different story to be told on another day.

The 'restraint' imposed on the security forces was only lifted after those bunch of lunatics, or rather their snipers, killed two of our VAT69 police commandos in a 'white flag' incident.   

That sparked an all out WAR to weed out those barbaric Sulu intruders, either dead or alive. That was the beginning of Ops Daulat. 

In the end, 8 police officers and 2 soldiers were killed while many were scarred for life. (One of the soldier was killed in an accident while transporting food supply to the battle ground).

At least one stupid politician had claimed that Ops Daulat was the government playacting but many children lost their father, wives became widows overnight and parents lost their sons. It was heart wrenching just looking at their face at the TUDM base in Subang when they turned up to receive the remains of their loved ones. 

We cried watching this video on the 206th Police Day.  

When Ops Daulat was nearing its closure and the Eastern Sabah Security Command was in place, someone with a big heart in the Home Ministry came with the idea of recognising all those who gave their life and limb to protect this nation of ours. Non-security personnel who risked their lives were also to be included for the award. 

The Pingat Kedaulatan Negara was then created, after careful deliberations of its shape, color and etc. 

Initially it was awarded to the kin of our HEROES who gave their lives for Malaysia. Those family members stood up and received the PKN medals with great honor and pride, many from the Prime Minister himself. 

PKN was also awarded for those policemen and soldiers who were injured during Ops Daulat. Later on it was extended to selected policemen and soldiers who had directly or indirectly played a role in the battle field. 

The award was in recognition of selfless contribution during Ops Daulat.

But recently Pingat Kedaulatan Negara was cheapened by none other than the Prime Minister himself... via the professionalism of his Press Secretary Datuk Akmar Hisham and the Director General of the Information Department Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman. 

I heard Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi was also aware of the stupid... DAMN BLOODY STUPID idea of awarding the same Pingat Kedaulatan Negara to more than TWO HUNDRED media personnel who were on duty in Lahad Datu during Ops Daulat. 

Both the PM's Press Secretary and the publicity savvy Information DG had also awarded Pingat Kedaultan Negara for themselves... and yes it was pinned on them by none other than the PM himself.

PM's PRESS SECRETARY 

Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman of the Information Department

The criteria for PKN? You (media) must have been on duty at the Felda Resort in Felda Sahabat (where the media centre was located) for a minimum of three days. 

It is NOT STUPID to recognise the contribution of the media personnel, including the drivers, lighting man, technicians,  those audio guys, make-up artists and all their bosses from Sabah to Putrajaya, and even those MAS/AirAsia pilots who flew the media to KK/Lahad Datu from KL. 

They should have been given Letter of Appreciation by the Prime Minister or the Information Minister... FULL STOP! 
 
Awarding Pingat Kedaulatan Negara, the same medal which was awarded to the fallen Heroes, to every Tom, DICK and Harry is not only STUPID but its an act of betrayal.

Don't you guys give a damn about the feelings of the children, wives, siblings and parents of those policemen and soldiers who died for this nation?  You guys have no sense of shame?

I was told earlier today that the same Press Secretary wants to pacify those who have been criticising him. It seems he was planning to get the PM to award them (critics) the same PKN medals. 

You see how idiots think and behave. People are questioning your stupidity not because they didn't get the PKN medal lah BODOH! 

PKN is exclusive for our security personnel and selected civilians who are deemed to have played pivotal/vital role during our war in Lahad Datu. 

I also heard that there are plans, by some politicians in position of power, to award more Pingat Kedaulatan Negara to civilians, village heads... and maybe political leaders at branch, division and other levels in Sabah. 

I hope Home Minister DS Zahid will step up and stop any further abuses of such nature by self-centered beings in the administration.

Don't humiliate our Royal Malaysian Police and Armed Forces personnel by awarding every Tom, DICK and Harry with medals meant for heroes. TQ   

p/s Taubat lah ketika masih berkesempatan!

Scorpene, Altantuya and Jasbir Singh Chahl - By NST

I'm sure a lot of people are waiting for the righteous in Suaram to come clean and explain why they have not been telling the truth.  

The New Straits Times must be commended for this exclusive piece on Jasbir Singh but where do we go from here? 

If those righteous angels in Suaram have been telling lies and defaming a whole list of individuals and organisations, in particular the Malaysian Government, what is the next course of action? 

I'm sure the righteous who make up Suaram would not want to be ABOVE THE LAW. They might demonstrate (and roll on the road if necessary) to be treated equally before the law.  

The keepers of the law should stop dragging their feet... when the righteous are ready to pay for their sins. 

The righteous of Suaram have so far maintained their elegant silence. A long overdue admission of guilt?

OPS DAULAT - Tun Dr M in Ground Zero

Dr Mahathir who spent about an hour with our Police and Military men of Ops Daulat in Lahad Datu on Sunday (17/03/2013) praised our security forces for their bravery, professionalism and ability to contain and eliminate the threat posed by the Kiram group of terrorists in Sabah.

"The ability of our security forces is on par with any other nation and we don't have to rely on foreign help as was the case before we achieved Independence"

The former Prime Minister said the Sulu people, on the other side of the border (in Philippines) are our friends while those (of Sulu origin) in Sabah were our citizens while the Kiram group are nothing but criminals who cause unnecessary problem for everybody. 

"I'm sure the peace loving people of Sulu here and our friends on the other side condemn the actions of these criminals who have killed our security forces and caused a big problem for us.

Repeatedly thanking the security forces for their sacrifices in ensuring the sovereignty of Malaysia was not compromised 'even an inch', Dr Mahathir said the people of Sabah and Malaysia in general felt safe because our security forces were willing to sacrifice their lives for the well being of the nation and her people.

'The people of Sabah and Malaysians in general feel indebted to our security forces. We Malaysians appreciate the sacrifices of our security forces and this is one of our best quality as Malaysians. We unite and stand as one in such times although there were those who are trying to divide us. I'm sure the 'rakyat' will stand united.

"The people could think for themselves if all this that is happening in Lahad datu is a sandiwara or not.