THE government has marked five consecutive years without a single reported kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) incident in the waters off eastern Sabah, a region once notorious for cross-border abductions by armed groups.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the milestone, achieved under the watch of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), is the result of coordinated, centralised operations involving the police, armed forces and maritime enforcement agencies.
“Previously, kidnap-for-ransom crimes were rampant. Zero cases have been reported since January 2020. This did not happen by default but by design. It is the result of deployment, monitoring, readiness and the capability of assets led by the police under ESSCOM,” Benama cited Saifuddin saying today.
Speaking in Sandakan during a visit to the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) fuel subsidy programme for police personnel, the minister emphasised that ESSCOM’s effectiveness stems from regular intelligence sharing, enforcement updates and a unified command structure.
The east coast of Sabah, which borders conflict-prone southern Philippines, has long been a flashpoint for maritime kidnappings. Saifuddin, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on Border Security, said improved safety in the area is now enabling the government to confidently promote the region as a viable destination for tourism and investment.
“Security guarantees are key to unlocking economic development and revitalising tourism,” he said.
Efforts to restore international confidence have already begun, with foreign envoys and diplomats invited to tour former high-risk zones, including offshore islands. Saifuddin said these visits have prompted several countries to review their travel advisories.
“Countries that previously issued travel advisories due to past incidents now have the opportunity to revise their decisions, and indeed some nations have already done so,” he said. “This success allows us to propose to these countries to reassess their travel restrictions.”
The minister cited a rise in international arrivals at Tawau Airport as a clear sign of renewed confidence in Sabah’s east coast.
“We have nine immigration counters there, but international flights from China alone have reached four to five daily. So, we can no longer cope with the situation as it is. That is one example,” he said.
“The kidnap-for-ransom incidents that once frightened tourists away are no more. This reflects ESSCOM’s high level of preparedness and effectiveness,” he added. - September 27, 2025
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