KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has called for the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strengthen the security work in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).
He said it is vital for Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) to optimise the coordination of security operations in ESSZone.
“The implementation of UAVs will mitigate security risks for our personnel and significantly improve aerial surveillance capabilities, especially along Sabah’s eastern coast with a focus on the end-user,” he said in his speech during the 2023 Esscom Media Appreciation Night at Hilton Hotel, here yesterday.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir delivered his speech.
Hajiji who is also the ESSZone security committee chairman, said that adopting new assets like UAVs will fortify security measures in Sabah, particularly in the ESSZone, bolstering border and coastal security.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for allocating RM40 million to improve infrastructure and housing facilities for ESSCom personnel in Lahad Datu.
Hajiji also highlighted The Hague High Court’s decision favouring Malaysia as a significant victory for the country and Sabah.
He affirmed Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to protect its sovereignty and national interests.
“The Sabah government will never tolerate any encroachment on its rights and sovereignty,” he said.
Media freedom dream
Hajiji urged media practitioners to educate the public through news writing, fostering patriotism and a strong sense of identity in safeguarding the nation, particularly in Sabah.
“The pen is mightier than the sword,” he emphasised, highlighting the media’s crucial role in shaping society's thinking and the fate of a nation.
He described the promise of the federal unity government to provide media freedom as a dream that is currently being implemented.
“The proposal to repeal the Printing Presses and Publications Act and to review the Anti-Fake News Act, and the Communications and Multimedia Act reflects the government’s commitment and seriousness in creating a media environment that freely disseminates credible information to the people and the government,” he said.
Hajiji said that there are many things to consider before realising this dream, especially with the information explosion brought about by technological advancements, which are changing the way of thinking and culture of our younger generation.
“We do not want false information to influence our young people. Therefore, to address this issue, the country needs a system to regulate the content of the media so that only credible, accurate, and trusted information reaches these young people.”
“Hopefully, this dream of media freedom can be realised in the future,” he said. – The Vibes, July 28, 2023
