TAWAU: Efforts to upgrade security assets under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) must be given priority, particularly at strategic locations such as the Sapi Nangoh and Kalabakan Road Check Points (RCPs), which serve as main routes for thousands of vehicles daily.
Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto, advisor to the Sabah Drug and Crime Prevention Organisation (PPDJS), said the RM21.2 billion allocation received by the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) for 2026 should be strategically used to strengthen the capabilities of assets and facilities for all security agencies under the Ministry, including the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM) and Esscom.
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He highlighted that RCP Sapi Nangoh requires urgent attention following public reports and information regarding the smuggling of undocumented immigrants (PTI) using organised tactics involving express buses.
“Information indicates that PTIs are instructed to alight before reaching the RCP, hidden in the undercarriage of buses, covered with luggage and then placed back on the bus after passing inspection. We believe these operations involve bus drivers and conductors who may receive payments for their actions,” he said.
“Imagine how many PTIs could ‘slip through’ if a single express bus carries three or four PTIs at a time. Not to mention the payments they receive from such illegal activities.”
Mohd Zaki said officers at the RCP are already performing their duties well, but the situation requires advanced inspection equipment and high-tech tools to eliminate security gaps and reduce the risk of breaches that could threaten national security.
He suggested that RCP Sapi Nangoh be equipped with thermal scanners or equivalent devices capable of detecting human presence in vehicle compartments, as well as other prohibited items, especially in express buses.
“Investing in security technology is not about questioning the efficiency of officers on duty. It serves as critical support to enhance operational effectiveness, particularly in high-risk areas,” he stressed.
He also called for equal prioritisation of RCP Kalabakan, noting that it is a key checkpoint for vehicle movement in and out of the border area.
“Sabah’s security, especially in the Esszone, requires a holistic approach involving physical assets, technology and personnel welfare. The large allocations announced must translate into real impact on the ground,” he said.
