LAHAD DATU – Police are always ready to tackle security threats in Sabah, especially those that involve the Abu Sayyaf group, by implementing various preventive measures, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said.
Likening the threats to existing diseases, he said police and other security teams were always prepared, and had even arrested five Filipinos believed to be Abu Sayyaf members in the first seven months of this year.
In order to face such threats, he said that 3,475 General Operations Force (GOF) and 900 marine police personnel have been stationed in the east coast of Sabah.
“However, in almost two years, there have been no threats, but that doesn’t mean the threats are gone, it doesn’t mean they aren’t looking for an opportunity to commit crime, and it certainly doesn’t mean we can relax and ease security-related controls in the east coast of Sabah.
“We are always prepared and continue to boost our capabilities to combat security threats,” he said after closing the Sabah GOF Tiger Platoon Brigade Series 1/2022 that involved two senior officers and 84 personnel here today.
Apart from prevention, Acryl said that police are also intensifying security controls in Sabah, and have considered adding two more GOF battalions in the state.
“We have five GOF (battalions) in Sabah currently and are working on adding two more battalions to assist in handling any possible security incidents.
“This includes restructuring the GOF to balance the strength between multiple platoons and brigades, and exploring the need for high-tech equipment for the Tiger Platoon and marine police,” he said.
According to him, the government will always do whatever it can to strengthen security levels in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Acryl said that he would officially request the Sabah government to turn Pulau Tabawan into a training area to strengthen the police force’s skills and techniques in dealing with security threats.
“Based on a briefing by Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali and Sabah police commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah, Pulau Tabawan is suitable for practical training,” he added.
On the Sulu group, Acryl said police are focused on parties that are trying to take advantage of the situation to conduct criminal activities and disrupt public order.
“For direct demands, we leave it to the government to settle it through legal means,” he said. – Bernama, August 2, 2022
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