Jeffrey wants ‘Homeland Security’ for Sabah
The state government should set up its own Homeland Security Division to fill in for the shortcomings of the federal agencies in protecting the people in Sabah.
Queville To, FMT
KOTA KINABALU: Police in Sabah are coming under increasing pressure to send a message to residents that their state is not going to be overrun by what is perceived to be the seedier elements of legal and illegal immigrants flooding the state.
The latest to rap the performance of the the police force over growing fears that crime has spiralled out of control in the state over the years is the Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party or STAR Sabah.
The opposition party which is gaining rapid grassroots support around the state has suggested that the state government should set up its own Homeland Security Division to fill in for the shortcomings of the federal agencies in protecting the people in Sabah.
Party chairman Jeffrey Kitingan made the provocative recommendation while speaking at the launching of its election canvassing unit in Kaingaran, on Saturday.
He was responding to the public furore over the alleged murder of Norikoh Saliwa, a 16-year-old student from Kota Marudu last Sunday.
Kitingan noted that the public outrage over the teenager’s death was reflected in the torrent of postings on social network sites with the vast majority blaming Sabah’s teeming population of immigrants.
The STAR Sabah chairman pointed out that one of the key factors which pushed Sabah to join with neighbour Sarawak and Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963 was the security threats from Indonesia and Philippines.
The idea being that being in the federation would provide better security for the state and its people.
“However, the federal agencies responsible for Sabah’s security and borders have failed to live up to the people’s expectations.
“Therefore, Sabah must have its own Homeland Security to ensure the better safety of its citizens and its borders in the wake of increasing crimes being committed by foreigners/illegal immigrants
against locals and the influx of illegal immigrants all over the state,” he said.
