LAHAD DATU, April 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today officially launched the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) here.
The symbolic launch was effected at noon at the Marine Police Base, which will serve as the temporary administrative centre pending the setting up of the ESSCOM headquarters.
The establishment of ESSCOM was announced by Najib on March 7 during his visit to the Lahad Datu district to look at the "Ops Daulat" government offensive against Sulu terrorists from the southern Philippines who had intruded there in February.
ESSCOM is the enforcement agent for the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE) and covers 10 districts along a 1,400-km stretch of the Sabah east coast. It was established to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the state's east coast following the intrusion by the terrorists.
ESSZONE covers the districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
Today, Najib is also scheduled to visit the Felda Sahabat plantation to convey his appreciation to the security forces involved in the Ops Daulat offensive in Lahad Datu.
-- BERNAMA
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