Sabah should have full autonomy powers to look after security of state

KOTA KINABALU - Another cross border kidnapping is triggering another round of laughable statements from top officials that are causing more loss of confidence that the kidnapping itself because the statements make the people feel that the government does not have a grip on the security situation.

Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the numerous excuses and blaming like "Ban barter trading", "CCTVs not clear", "community to be blamed", "suspected inside job", "kidnap happened in between police shifts," "we cannot have a patrol boat every 100 meter," big ransom sum demanded," "long coastline" are some responses of security officials who never cease to amuse the people.

"Instead of protecting barter traders and resort operators, our police are asking them to close down," he added.

Yong said the Home ministry also shot down the Sabah Chief Minister's repeated proposal to have attack helicopters citing more time needed as though the Sandakan Ocean King kidnap was the first incident.

"Even ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed is calling for extra resources to boost Sabah's security instead of buying a VIP executive jet at a cost of more than RM300 million, which could have been invested on more personnel and logistical assets, including attack helicopters, for our security personnel on the ground and at the high seas.

"We should keep reminding ourselves that the basis for Sabah forming Malaysia was security without which there will be no peace and no socio-economic well being. But the federal leaders seem preoccupied with their politiking and engulfed in a fight for political survival that hardly any one of them paid any attention to the loss of confidence on security matters in Sabah.

"Therefore, the time has come for the federal government to grant full autonomy powers to the Sabah government, with federal agencies, to look after the security of Sabah. The federal government has done its best and it has failed. Now, give Sabah a chance," he said.