KOTA KINABALU: Resorts in Sabah’s east coast are seeing more tourists with heightened security under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), which has seen 40 kidnap for ransom (KFR) cases solved since 2017.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said since 2017, a total of 40 KFR cases involving the notorious Abu Sayyaf group had been solved either by their members being arrested or killed.

He said a strong security presence is seeing tourists heading to island resorts in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESS Zone).

“It is estimated that 156,363 foreign tourists have entered the five ESS Zone tourist destinations – Kudat, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu and Semporna – based on the record of tourist arrivals from January to September 2023,” he said at the launch yesterday of a midway house for just-released convicts in Tuaran, about 30km from here.

He said the establishment of Esscom had increased the level of security in the ESS Zone and the effect could be seen from the encouraging increase in tourism.

“Sabah is safe and under control,” he said, adding that efforts were under way to improve the safety and well-being of the people through increased border control operations.

Saifuddin Nasution said the government is also in the process of developing the Sabah Sea Surveillance System Project Phase 2 at the Sandakan Area Control Centre and the Remote Sensor Site at Malawali Banggi Kudat Island.The Semporna Malaysia Maritime Base and the Forward Operations Base at Mabul Island were also being constructed.

Also on the cards were General Operations Force (GOF) control posts in the interiors of Pagalungan, Nabawan and Kinabatangan.

Esscom is an integrated multi-security agency involving police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and all three wings of the armed forces which operate within the ESS Zone.

So far this year, Esscom had carried out 6,473 inspections of people, vehicles and premises, said Saifuddin Nasution, adding that 107 people were arrested for various offences involving cases of illegal immigrants, drugs and smuggling.

In another issue, he said the government has implemented a pilot initiative to transfer foreign children from the Immigration depot to a special temporary settlement known as Baitul Mahabbah.

“Children below the age of 10 under the management of the Immigration Department will be placed in Baitul Mahabbah until the documentation process by their respective embassies are completed and they are ready to be sent back to their country of origin,” he said, adding that one centre will be placed in Papar.