It has now been five years since any abduction incident occurred along Sabah’s east coast — an achievement that brings great comfort to local residents and businesses alike. In recent years, the improved security situation has helped reverse negative perceptions about eastern Sabah, enhancing the quality of life for locals and significantly boosting the confidence of tourists and investors.
[Strong Collaboration to Safeguard Security]
The improved security on Sabah’s east coast is the result of close cooperation between the federal and state governments. Brigadier General (Rtd) Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Liew Yun Fah, former Sabah Youth and Sports Minister and former state assemblyman for Merotai, noted in an interview that this success is due to the federal government’s continued strengthening of border facilities and manpower, along with strong support from the state government to ensure efficient local governance and security.
“Protecting Sabah’s border security is a federal responsibility, but it also depends greatly on the strong cooperation shown by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government,” he said.
He also highlighted the vital role of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM), which has long coordinated multi-agency enforcement with the Immigration Department, Customs, General Operations Force, Marine Police, and local authorities to combat illegal immigration, smuggling, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.
Major police districts within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), such as Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan, and Semporna, have also stepped up enforcement, particularly against drug-related crimes.
Liew, who is also president of the Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, stated that the police’s discovery of drug-related cases should not be seen as an alarm, but rather as a reflection of strong police-community cooperation aimed at maintaining safety and wellbeing.
“I frequently travel around Tawau and engage with the grassroots to gather feedback. Over the years, I have not heard residents raise any concerns about border security. This shows that local communities feel safe and confident in the current security situation.”
[Renewed Tourist Confidence in East Sabah]
Eastern Sabah once faced serious challenges due to frequent incursions by armed kidnapping groups from southern Philippines. These threats severely impacted the region’s image as a premier diving destination. In response, ESSCOM was established in 2013 to coordinate all security efforts by the police, armed forces, and maritime enforcement agencies in defending the eastern coast.
With security conditions steadily improving, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution announced in October 2023 that, following comprehensive evaluations, the government decided to reduce the ESSZone coverage from 10 districts to 8 — namely Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, and Semporna — as security in the northern and eastern seas was deemed stable.
In May this year, Yu Yangku and his family from Sarawak visited Semporna during the school holidays. Initially concerned about safety, he was reassured by the resort’s detailed arrangements and the government’s ongoing updates on security conditions in eastern Sabah.
“Semporna is absolutely stunning — the sea and sky blend into one breathtaking view. I’ve never been to the Maldives, but I heard people call this Malaysia’s version of it. Seeing it with my own eyes was such a blessing.”
“Armed security personnel were present throughout the resort, and we were accompanied by security staff during sea excursions. It gave us a great sense of safety. It would be a real shame to miss such a beautiful place due to safety concerns. Thankfully, the government is continuously reinforcing border security, and we hope more tourists will get to enjoy this paradise.”
[Comprehensive Security Measures Rebuild Public Trust]
Thanks to ESSCOM’s coordination and strong inter-agency collaboration, the negative label of “high-risk zone” has gradually been erased.
In an interview this April, Mohamad Zaki Susanto, advisor to the Sabah Crime Prevention Association (PPDJS), revealed that since ESSCOM’s establishment, it had thwarted 59 attempted abductions and arrested over 16,000 illegal immigrants (PATI) through numerous joint operations. Over 500 foreign fishing vessels that entered Malaysian waters illegally were also intercepted or detained.
He attributed these results to the deployment of advanced technology such as radar systems and drones, as well as ongoing trilateral maritime patrols with neighboring countries like the Philippines and Indonesia.
However, he stressed that ESSCOM still needs to strengthen its resource allocation, tactical training, and community engagement.
“Security threats today are more complex and constantly evolving. ESSCOM must stay prepared to counter emerging threats such as cybercrime, arms smuggling, and human trafficking.”
[Tech Integration and Community Cooperation to Bolster Safety]
To this end, ESSCOM is planning to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its surveillance systems while expanding collaboration with local communities to ensure the east coast remains a safe, livable, and investment-friendly region.
ESSCOM Commander Datuk Victor Sanjos stated that AI will significantly improve border monitoring and help ensure a secure, controlled environment.
He noted that the last reported abduction case in Eastern Sabah occurred on January 15, 2020, and no similar incidents have occurred since — a testament to the collective efforts of the government, communities, and enforcement agencies. This improved security has directly led to a significant rise in both domestic and international tourist arrivals.
In July last year, Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment invited representatives from nine countries — the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, Japan, Germany, France, Canada, and Finland — to Semporna to witness local safety conditions firsthand and attend a briefing by ESSCOM officers. The visit was also attended by Home Minister Saifuddin and Sabah Tourism Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
Christina Liew later told the media that the state government plans to develop new tourism products on the east coast, including a new tourist jetty in Tawau to accommodate rising visitor numbers to Semporna — clear proof of the region’s growing popularity.
[‘Friends of Sabah’ App Enhances Tourist Safety]
In November last year, the Sabah government launched the Friends of Sabah (FoS) mobile app to help tourists, especially those visiting the east coast, quickly reach law enforcement in emergencies.
Jointly developed by the state government and IT Collection Sdn Bhd, the app is now in trial phase and will be further optimized before its official release. It provides emergency contact information — such as nearby police stations, fire departments, and hospitals — to help tourists respond promptly to various situations.
Commander Victor expressed strong confidence in the app, saying it will greatly enhance tourists’ sense of security and allow them to enjoy Sabah’s natural beauty with peace of mind, while feeling the warmth and hospitality of the state and its people. He believes the app will elevate Sabah’s reputation as a safe international travel destination.
Chung Wen Wei, a 25-year-old law firm employee from Kota Kinabalu, fell in love with diving several years ago but has yet to visit the famed Sipadan Island on the east coast.
“Before the pandemic, my family was always concerned about safety on the east coast, so I avoided traveling there. But last year, I read about the launch of the FoS app — a collaborative effort between the tourism ministry and security agencies. I think it’s a modern and timely solution that uses GPS technology to improve safety.”
“After discussing it with my family, and seeing that there have been no abductions in recent years, they’re much more reassured. I’m already planning a trip with fellow diving enthusiasts to finally experience Sipadan’s marine wonder in person.”
VOICE OF ASIA Editorial Note
At VOICE OF ASIA, we believe in amplifying the real voices of the people – especially those too often overlooked in national discourse. This translated article, originally published by Sin Chew, highlights a perspective from Sabah that resonates with our editorial mission: to go beyond headlines and politics, and shine a light on what truly matters to everyday Malaysians.
The original version can be found here.
