Enhance use of UAVs to strengthen Esscom’s role in maintaining security, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: It is time for Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to enhance the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as part of their assets to maintain security at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) who is Esszone committee chairman said adoption of newer technologies like UAV drones would definitely boost surveillance and monitoring efforts at the huge coastal area.

“With Esszone combined area of 10 districts from Kudat to Sandakan, it can be challenging.

“Thus, optimising UAV use will not only reduce the safety risks of our security personnel on duty, but also increase the aerial domain that we can patrol,” he said during the Esscom media appreciation night on Thursday (July 27).

His speech text was read by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who represented him.

Hajiji also thanked the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the RM40mil allocation to upgrade the infrastructure and quarters facility for the staff of Esscom in Lahad Datu, which showed the Federal government’s concern on the welfare of the personnel.

The recent Dutch Court of Appeal’s ruling which was in favour of Malaysia by dismissing compensation claims made by self-proclaimed Sulu heirs, was also a great win and showed that the Malaysian government had never stopped protecting the sovereignty of the country, he added.

Meanwhile during the event, Hajiji urged all media practitioners to continue educating the society through their article writings to become civilians that continue to uphold the country’s sovereignty.

“No one can deny the important role of the media in educating the public through mass media write ups.

“The saying that ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ is significant as through writings, the media can change the way a society thinks,” he said.

In view of that, he said the unity government was currently carrying out its promise to provide press freedom, including doing away or reviewing related laws to show its commitment to create a media environment that was free to provide information with integrity to the people.

“However, some things needs to be evaluated before fully realising this dream, especially with the information explosion due to technology advancement that could shape the culture and way our youngsters think.

“We don’t want false or inaccurate information to easily influence the younger generation, thus the country needs a system to manage and monitor information so that only credible and reliable ones reach our youths.

“But we hope this dream of press freedom could be realised in future soon,” Hajiji added.