Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday the allocation would be used to build the initial infrastructure for Eastern Sabah Safety Command (Esscom) in the form of cabins and camps as well as immediate procurement of assets for all the agencies involved in Ess- zone.
" I expect after this (initial allocation), the government will allocate more money to further strengthen Esszone, " he said after witnessing the signing of agreements worth RM4.271 billion at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition here.
Asked what sort of asset procurement was being looked at for Esszone, Zahid said he could not list it as yet because it involved multiple agencies. However, he said, the ministry was evaluating several assets for the armed forces. Among these, said Zahid, wereunmanned aerial vehicles, attack helicopters and fast boats.
Yesterday, the minister announced that two helicopters and three fixed-wing planes would be converted into maritime patrol aircraft for Esszone. Although he did not state it, it is understood that the conversion of the helicopters and planes will take up part of the RM200 million allocation.
A total of five battalions of security forces will be stationed in east Sabah to provide security for Esszone. This followed the intrusion of armed gunmen from Sulu, the Philippines, in Lahad Datu, Semporna and other areas last month.
More than 60 gunmen have been killed during clashes with Malaysian security forces since early this month. Scores more have been detained. The latest incident yesterday morning saw a gunmen killed and two women detained.
source New Straits Times
