LAHAD DATU - The reopening of borders and the country's transition to the endemic phase will bring new challenges to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
This, its commander Deputy Commissioner Hamzah Ahmad said was because cross-border criminal activities could increase, compared to when the borders were closed following the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
"Tourism activities on the east coast are expected to attract many tourists from abroad.
"We are afraid that kidnap for ransom (KFR) would be active again by taking advantage of the influx of tourists and increased sea activities which will make it difficult for security forces to monitor the situation thoroughly," he said at an assembly in conjunction with Esscom's ninth anniversary, here, on Friday.
He added that the Philippines' general election which will be held in May was expected to cause back and forth movements of those in Sabah.
"This needs to be given serious attention to as there is a possibility that people will be coming in and out of the state," he said.
Hamzah, however said Esscom was always ready and will continue to empower land and sea borders control at the Eastern Sabah Safe Zone (EssZone) through various planned operations.
He said Esscom was well informed that they will be responsible for coordinating the operation and control security areas covering 10 east coast districts from Kudat to Tawau.
"The Op Cegah Pati (OCP) will continue to be empowered to control the in and out movement at the borders.
"It is also to curb the movement of kidnapping group Abu Sayyaf and cross-border criminal activities in the east coast of Sabah.
"Besides that, Esscom will also empower Op Gasak Laut dan Darat which is a scheduled operation in collaboration with the police, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)," he said.
Hamzah said security control on the ground through the 'Road Check Point' (RCP) at Sapi Nangoh and Kalabakan will also continue under the Sabah General Operations Force's Op Taring.