Fear had swallowed Sabahans as Philippines continued its claim over Sabah.
Putrajaya said that over fifty three (53) years, claims and security continue to be an issue debated. Militancy threat had continued to grow over Sabah’s east coast which drives fear over its constituents which they feared that might reflect the tourism of Sabah. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared that there is only one commander in each of the sixty (60) state constituencies which exhibits weak defense in its island.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) had been labeled for federal security initiative to protect the country’s northeasternmost boarders. Abdul Ghaphur said that ESSCom is meaningless as it failed to protect the boarders of the island, being it funded by the federal for strong protection to contradict the strong claims of the Philippines.
ESSCom is a security patrol initiative launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on March 7, 2013 that covers 1,400 kilometers of Sabah’s east coast, from Kudat to Tawau.
Putrajaya wants to cut all diplomatic ties with Manila as Barisan National (BN) federal lawmaker cited the long-standing terrorism triggered by Filipino rebels.
Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh said that though the Philippines no longer has any claim on Sabah, some of its people particular those in the republic’s restive southern islands have trespassed on the north Borneo state and conducted raids, frightening Malaysians for over fifty (50) years.
“If we can, we cut diplomatic ties with the Philippines because they do not have any link or claim on Sabah.
“The people of Sabah are living in fear,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
What Putrajaya solely wants is the full safety of the country against oppression and outstanding claim of its neighbor to their little island. Outcry for peace and sweet escape from the bonds between Philippines and Malaysia as the first step to gaining what they want.
Muslim terror cells based in the southern Philippines and a centuries-old Sulu clan seeking to reassert its dominance on Sabah have frequently conducted raids on the Malaysian state.
