Lahad Datu abducted victim rescued BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo |
- Lahad Datu abducted victim rescued
- Joseph Pairin welcomes restructuring of ESScom
- Lahad Datu abducted victim rescued
- Only 32% of TAED area to be sold for development
- Najib has considered all in ESScom revamp – Pairin
- Express bus fare to increase by 5% for Hari Raya
| Lahad Datu abducted victim rescued Posted: 10 Jul 2014 12:51 PM PDT KOTA KINABALU: A Chinese national, who was abducted from Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu in May by a group of gunmen, has been rescued by the police early yesterday. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Yang Zai Lin, 34, was now in Sandakan and expected to be flown to China from Kuala Lumpur this afternoon. "He has been rescued and investigations will be conducted," Khalid told reporters after attending a briefing on the restructuring of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) here yesterday. He, however, declined to give details. Yang, who hailed from Guangzhao, was abducted by five gunmen from the Wonderful Terrace Fish Farm where he worked as a manager at 2.45 am on The briefing was chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa. Present were Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman, and ESSCom commander DCP Datuk Abd Rashid Harun. On the briefing, Khalid said Abdul Ghani gave details on the restructuring of ESSCom which was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday. "The briefing focused on understanding, responsibilities and roles of agencies involved in the restructuring exercise in enhancing the security of eastern Sabah," Khalid said. Najib announced the restructuring of the ESSCcom with the setting up of two major components — security and defence management as well as enforcement and public action. Abd Rashid was appointed ESSCom commander to lead three special divisions, namely intelligence, security and defence as well as ESSZone operations effective July 15. — Bernama   |
| Joseph Pairin welcomes restructuring of ESScom Posted: 10 Jul 2014 12:21 PM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has welcomed the restructuring of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Pairin said the restructuring of ESSCom effective July 15 shows that Najib is concerned and considered proposals from all parties on the security of Sabah. "Sabah has many problems, including a large number of illegal immigrants. I believe they can only be solved by continuous monitoring by security forces and the higher-ups," he said when presenting Aidilfitri cookies to police personnel at Sabah police contingent, here yesterday. Pairin hopes efforts to restructure or beef up assets of ESSCom and ESSZone would continue to plug secret routes used by intruders to enter Sabah waters. Meanwhile, Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Ramlee Marhaban was confident the restructuring of ESSCom would consolidate its operations and address intrusion and abduction in the Sabah east coast. "This is a very positive step and eagerly awaited by Sabahans. It will have positive effect on foreign tourists and effective in addressing intrusion, abduction and other crimes," he said in a statement, here today. Ramlee hopes that locals would not be sidelined in the restructuring of ESSCom as the community wants Sabahans to play a major role in ESSCom. In Sandakan, Beluran Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said Sabahans have high expectations of ESSCom to curb transnational crimes that threaten the safety of citizens and tourists. "It is hoped these changes will address ESSCom's chain of command, asset acquisition and effectiveness in dealing with security matters. "I am confident this restructuring will enable faster construction of security posts for military battalions including in Beluran," he said. The restructuring of ESSCom involves the creation of two major components namely security and defence management and enforcement and public action. Najib also announced the appointment of ESSCom Security and Public Order Division director, DCP Datuk Abd Rashid Harun as ESSCom commander in charge of intelligence, security, defence and operations effective July 15. — Bernama ESSCom was established to protect the sovereignty and security of Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) following the intrusion by Sulu terrorists in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu in February last year. ESSZone covers the 10 districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau. — Bernama |
| Lahad Datu abducted victim rescued Posted: 10 Jul 2014 09:39 AM PDT KOTA KINABALU: A Chinese national, who was abducted from Pulau Baik, Lahad Datu in May by a group of gunmen, was rescued by the police early yesterday. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Yang Zai Lin, 34, was now in Sandakan and flown to China from Kuala Lumpur yesterday afternoon. "He has been rescued and investigations will be conducted," Khalid told reporters after attending a briefing on the restructuring of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) here yesterday. He, however, declined to give details. Yang, who hailed from Guangzhao, was abducted by five gunmen from the Wonderful Terrace Fish Farm where he worked as a manager at 2.45 am on May 6. A string of kidnappings have rocked Sabah's east coast over the past nine months, as armed gunmen — mostly believed to be linked to terrorist organisations based in South Philippines — have abducted at least six people, including three foreign tourists and businessmen. Last month, a Malaysian caged-fish breeding farm operator, Chan Sai Chiun, 32, and his employee were kidnapped by two armed men on speedboat in Kampung Sapang, off Kunak. In April, a Chinese tourist and a Filipina worker of an island resort off Semporna were nabbed by armed gunmen. They were released a month later although the Malaysian government maintained that no ransom was paid. A tourist from Taiwan was taken hostage from another resort island off Semporna by gunmen in October last year. They shot her husband dead. It was reported that an undisclosed ransom was paid before her release a month later. Such incidents have led to questions over the efficacy of the ESSCom set up last year to secure the country's easternmost borders against foreign intrusions. The porosity of Sabah's waters was exposed last January when a group of 200 gunmen from the southern Philippines that proclaimed ties with the now-defunct Sulu sultanate invaded Lahad Datu with the intent to reclaim Sabah. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a restructuring of ESSCom, giving added focus to security in Sabah's maritime border in a bid to allay growing unease over the recent string of kidnappings in the state. Yesterday's briefing was chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa. Present were Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman, and ESSCom commander DCP Datuk Abd Rashid Harun. On the briefing, Khalid said Abdul Ghani gave details on the restructuring of ESSCom which was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday. "The briefing focused on understanding, responsibilities and roles of agencies involved in the restructuring exercise in enhancing the security of eastern Sabah," Khalid said. |
| Only 32% of TAED area to be sold for development Posted: 10 Jul 2014 09:39 AM PDT by Chok Sim Yee. Posted on July 11, 2014, Friday KOTA KINABALU: Only 32 per cent of the total 314 hectares of land under the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) master plan will be parcels sold for development, while the remaining 68 per cent consists of accessible, open and recreational spaces, including a proposed golf course. Datuk Victor S Paul, executive director of Tanjung Aru Eco Development Sdn Bhd (TAEDSB), the master developer of this project, said there would only be 36 lots for sale in TAED whereby 25 per cent of the purchased lots space was required to be allocated for green space. Paul said the TAEDSB board of directors took steps to ensure that the rehabilitated park and beach would be protected by passing it in the State Assembly so that no one in the future could touch it, even if a new Chief Minister came along. He said this in a TAED briefing session for representatives from Sabah Housing and Property Developers Association (Shareda), Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa), Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) and WWF Malaysia here yesterday. Paul explained that parts of the development had to be sold because the proposed rejuvenation of Tanjung Aru Beach and Prince Philip Park would cost around RM1.5 billion while yearly maintenance cost was estimated at RM45 million. He said the present Tanjung Aru Beach was an eyesore, underdeveloped and polluted with limited social, environmental and economic value. "The quality of the beach has been deteriorating due to the increased fine content and pollutants from several drain-discharging sources and the Petagas River. "At night, few people will venture to the beach or park as it is claimed that the area is poorly lit and unsafe," he added. Furthermore, seawater samples taken from several points along the First, Second and Third Beaches are found to contain between 500 and 1,485 of colony-forming unit (CFU) per 100 milliliters, which indicates high risk of illness transmission fecal count by the World Health Organization (WHO). "It is the duty of the government to take some sort of action to stop all these, and that is what the government is trying to do," he said. The TAED master plan proposes to widen the beach to at least 50 metres at low tide (about five times wider) from nine metres now; and at least 100 metres at high tide (about four times wider) from 25 metres now. To help protect the beach from both erosion as well as silt and pollution from the Petagas River, two new headland/breakwaters will be built as coastal landforms. In addition, the Prince Philip Park will also be enlarged to twice its original size from 11.43 acres now to 27 acres. Under the master plan, there will be a fishermen's wharf, a marina, water channel and an international golf course. The fishermen's wharf is where the eateries, hotels and car parks will be as well as three bridges linking the wharf and the rainforests and beach. In order to achieve low carbon emission, Paul said vehicles would not be allowed to enter the park. Instead, there will be electric buses, water taxi and proposed rapid transit. The elderly and physically challenged individuals are also catered for with buggy services. Over the long term, it is said that TAED will create new demand for local products from farmers, fishermen and craftsmen as well as open up business and employment opportunities for the people and youths of Sabah. Paul believes that the TAED project would draw in over RM10 billion in foreign investments to the state, and assured that not a sen would go to the board members or him. "None of us (board members) can take part in any of the tenders, nor our family members, whether for construction or purchase," he said. Present at the briefing were Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, Shareda president Francis Goh, Sabah Parks Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Seri Tengku Dr Zainal Adlin bin Tengku Mahamood and City Hall director general Datuk Yeo Boon Hai. |
| Najib has considered all in ESScom revamp – Pairin Posted: 10 Jul 2014 09:38 AM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan welcomed the restructuring of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday. Pairin, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president and Infrastructure Development Minister, said the Prime Minister had taken into account all matters and comments that had been raised by various parties. "I feel this is a positive move forward as it has taken into consideration all that are needed to be addressed. For example, it has been announced that foreign boats must go through an identified channel and are registered, which means that we will have a more stringent control that is also more efficient," he said to reporters after handing over Hari Raya goodies from PBS at the Lok Kawi Camp near here yesterday. He opined that with the specific strategies and procedures, they would be better prepared to face the enemies of the country, and also stressed that periodic reviews must be held to further improve the operation of ESSCom. "For instance, if there are needs for more assets or new strategies … we hope this will happen," he said. "The announcement has brought happiness to the people of Sabah because we have been facing this issue for a long time and we hope for a solution as soon as possible with the provision of additional assets that we need." In his speech earlier, Pairin said that the people were grateful for the contribution made by the armed forces to look after the security of the country. The restructuring of ESSCom includes the setting up of two major components – security and defence management as well as enforcement and public action. "The management component is geared at pooling resources of the security agencies to enhance operational effectiveness," said the Prime Minister. Najib also announced the appointment of DCP Datuk Abd Rashid Harun as the ESSCom commande who will be leading three special divisions, namely inteligence, security and defence as well as operations. Meanwhile, Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Ramlee Marhaban was confident the restructuring of ESSCom would consolidate its operations and address intrusion and abduction in the Sabah east coast. "This is a very positive step and eagerly awaited by Sabahans. It will have positive effect on foreign tourists and effective in addressing intrusion, abduction and other crimes," he said in a statement, here yesterday. Ramlee hopes that locals would not be sidelined in the restructuring of ESSCom as the community wants Sabahans to play a major role in ESSCom. In Sandakan, Beluran member of parliament Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said Sabahans have high expectations of ESSCom to curb transnational crimes that threaten the safety of citizens and tourists. "It is hoped these changes will address ESSCom's chain of command, asset acquisition and effectiveness in dealing with security matters. "I am confident this restructuring will enable faster construction of security posts for military battalions, including in Beluran," he said. |
| Express bus fare to increase by 5% for Hari Raya Posted: 10 Jul 2014 09:38 AM PDT by Mariah Doksil. Posted on July 11, 2014, Friday KOTA KINABALU: Express bus fares for the Hari Raya Balik Kampung are expected to increase by five per cent compared to the previous year, according to the Sabah Express Bus Operators Council. Its president, Datuk Donald Hanapi, said the increase was not only in Sabah but for the whole country, following the high demand for buses and also due to a request from the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) for all express buses to be in tip-top condition. "Express buses in the peninsula have increased their fares by 10 per cent, but we did not follow them. So an increase of five per cent is just enough to cover extra expenses for the upcoming Hari Raya. "Since we need to cater to the need of more buses from the city centre to the other districts, we need to cover the expenses of empty buses from various destinations to the city centre. "The increase also includes our expenses for repairs and maintanence for our buses because we need to ensure that our buses are safe for passengers," he said. However, the fare increase is just for a certain period, which is a week before and after the Hari Raya celebration (15th July to 10th August 2014). Last year, the bus fare from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau during Hari Raya was RM72, to Sandakan RM42, Lahad Datu RM52, Semporna RM73, Kunak RM60, Keningau RM18 and Tenom RM22. This year, the increase will be around RM2 to RM3. "New fares from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau are RM75, Sandakan RM45, Lahad Datu RM55, Semporna RM75, Kunak RM65, Keningau RM20 and Tenom RM25. "We will start selling tickets with the new fare for the annual Hari Raya Balik Kampung on July 15 unless CVLB is against it," he said, adding that he was confident the CVLB would accept the new fare, because it is still low compared to the 10 per cent increase in Peninsular Malaysia. "We hope our passengers will understand our situation. We are not simply asking for a fare hike but our needs have also increased," he said, adding that CVLB had been informed about the increase through an official letter from the council. Normal fare from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau is RM60, Sandakan RM43, Lahad Datu RM50, Semporna RM60, Kunak RM50, Keningau RM18 and Tenom RM22. He assured the public that there would be enough buses to the east coast of Sabah, to the northern parts of the State as well as to Sipitang and Sarawak. However, he advised passengers planning to go back to their hometown by bus to buy their tickets earlier. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |