Drones to protect sea borders: CM
Published on: Saturday, July 29, 2023
By: Jonathan Nicholas
The use of UAVs will not only reduce risk to personnel but also increase air domain, especially in carrying out surveillance. Hajiji (left pic).
Kota Kinabalu: The time has come to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to strengthen the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
This is to optimise control in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) which covers 10 districts from Kudat to Sandakan.
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“The use of UAVs will not only reduce risk to personnel but also increase air domain, especially in carrying out surveillance,” he said at the 2023 Esscom Media Appreciation Night at Hilton, Thursday.
The text of his speech was read by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
Hajiji, who is also Chairman of the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone Committee, welcomed the RM40 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to improve Esscom infrastructure and facilities in Lahad Datu.
“Hopefully this initiative will increase staff morale. The Federal Government will never stop protecting the sovereignty, security and interests of the country.
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“Similarly, the State Government will not allow state rights to be violated,” he said commenting on the Sulu claim case, where so-called heirs of the now defunct sultanate are claiming RM60 billion over presumed amounts owed to the “heirs”.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) Director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said a pilot project to equip Marine Police in the ESSZone with drones meant to be deployed at sea is ongoing.
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“It was finalised with Esscom Commander DCP Victor Sanjos last week…We have a drone specialist attached to the Air Wing Unit. His qualifications meet United States and European standards. For the early phase, he will be placed in Lahad Datu.
“If the Sabah Government is willing, it can invest in a UAV landing strip. For now we are using highly manoeuvrable non-combat drones.
“There are already a few (UAV) companies in peninsula that have penetrated the market…we need Artificial Intelligence to beef up border security.
“For instance, from Bukit Aman, I was able to see the Thai border in real time with the use of drones.
“We are trying to create a permanent drone base in Lahad Datu under the Air Wing Unit,” he said.
Victor, meanwhile, said data shows international tourists in the ESSZone have increased up to 80 per cent in the past three months.
“In fact there are more foreigners from Asian countries compared to domestic tourists. This means there is confidence in the defence system contrary to popular belief.
“This is what the media should be portraying because the sooner the message gets across the faster our economy can grow comfortably alongside foreign investors.
“The Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu has been announced as a free trade zone.
“This will give job opportunities to Sabahans…we at Esscom strive to put a brand of safety for Sabah,” he said.
Victor was dispelling travel advisory advising foreign tourists against visiting the east coast due to previous crossborder kidnaps by Abu Sayyaf bandits from the southern Philippines in the past.
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