Four more PGA posts to stop illegals | Daily Express Malaysia

Four more PGA posts to stop illegals

Hajiji said four PGA checkpoints will be built this year, namely Pos Poigon Kalabakan, Pos Manalunan Sandakan, Pos Kuala Maruap Lahad Datu and Pos Gabungan Sungai Haji Kuning Sebatik Tawau.

Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state government has been satisfied with Esscom since it was established in 2013 as the leader and coordinator of security, which consists of the armed forces, police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM). “This agency has curbed the invasion of foreign elements and helped boost the image of Sabah, especially the east coast, as safe for foreign investors and tourists.

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“Esscom also assists enforcement and security departments/agencies such as the Ministry of Internal Trade, Customs and Immigration to curb elements of cross-border crime, including the smuggling of contraband, controlled, subsidized and duty-free goods, as well as the entry of illegal immigrants (Pati ).” He assured that security at the maritime border, coastal and riverine areas, as well as the land border, especially in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), is under control. He told Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) that a recent incident near Sabah was an isolated robbery attempt and that only a few cases had occurred in the past five years. “Esscom and the security agencies are intensifying operations to track down the suspects believed to have fled our waters. All three suspects are criminals and are on Esscom’s wanted list.

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Hajiji said the state government remains committed to rooting out illegal immigrants and will ensure that all those arrested are deported. He said the state government, through collaboration with PDRM and the National Security Council (MKN), Sabah plans to expand General Operations Force (PGA) checkpoints to further tighten border control against the entry of illegal immigrants.

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Hajiji said four PGA checkpoints will be built this year, namely Pos Poigon Kalabakan, Pos Manalunan Sandakan, Pos Kuala Maruap Lahad Datu and Pos Gabungan Sungai Haji Kuning Sebatik Tawau. Another six are awaiting allocation approval. They are Pos Sungai Limau in Sebatik, Pos Bukit Keramat in Sebatik, Pos Long Pasia Sipitang, Pos Alutok Tenom, Pos Pensiangan Nabawan and Pos Pulau Bankawan Kudat. “The Sabah Immigration Department is also active in conducting operations to arrest and deport illegal aliens. “As of April 15, some 2,603 ​​illegal immigrants have been returned. In 2023, some 8,678 illegal immigrants were deported, while in 2022 some 5,943 people were deported.” He said the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved new strategic assets in the ESSZone under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), including the construction of the residential complex and administration building of the 20th PGA Battalion in Beluran; construction of 15th PGA Battalion Patrol Boat Base at Sungai Seguntur, Sandakan and development of Sea Surveillance System Project (Swasla) at Malawali, Kudat and Sandakan under APMM. In addition, the procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in open sea areas and drones in specific locations for effective safety monitoring and detection in the ESSZone was also submitted under the Rolling Plan 5 of the RMK12 (2025). “To ensure safety and strengthen visitors’ confidence in ESSZone, Esscom has proposed to introduce an app called ‘Friends of Sabah’, which will be developed by a local company without incurring any financial implications for the government which can be used by foreign and local tourists,” he said. Regarding the 2018 Kg Gas, Sandakan fire, the Chief Minister said the government through the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) and the Sabah State Development Office (ICU JPM) held a series of meetings involving various relevant agencies for the implementation of the project. Fire Victims Home Reconstruction Project. He said the wooden houses would meet the standards of the Poorest People’s Housing Program (PPRT), meaning as many as 100 units would be built on the original site and cost RM6 million. The project would be implemented as quickly as possible.

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