Allegations on criminal activities by security personnel must be taken seriously - Shafie

KOTA KINABALU - Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has asked for the Defence Ministry and Home Ministry to take seriously the allegations of kidnapping, theft and blackmail involving the public believed to be carried out by security personnel in the Semporna waters, recently.

The Semporna MP also asked for both ministries to not compromise on the matter as it involved the safety of the public and that the security team needed to protect the sovereignty of the country.

"Recently I was shocked with the news regarding the kidnapping, theft and blackmail by a group believed to be the country's security personnel.

"What was even worse was that it happened in the Semporna waters. The victim was a seaweed trader who was on the way to sell the produce near Pulau Siamil, Semporna.

"If what was reported to me was true, it is upsetting because the security personnel who were supposed to protect the safety and public order was now becoming the mastermind and perpetrator for criminal activities. What has happened to our security system?," he said in a statement on Friday.

The Warisan president said Semporna waters became the centre of attention of the world not only for tourism activities, but also agricultural activities due to the district's position being close to the Philippines.

"In fact, the district is popular for its beauty and uniqueness of the islands near it. Because of this, it is especially important for the Defence Ministry to place its assets and complete equipment for the country's safety in any focused areas.

"Important assets for security should not be placed in remote areas where it would take a long time for it to arrive to the destination if there was an emergency," he said.

Shafie added that every year, the government had allocated budget of billions of ringgit for the purpose of defence and safety of the country.

"I realise and know that the cost to build, buy and own the security assets is expensive, but it would be impossible if we don't immediately try to have these security assets in focused areas where invasions and robberies often occur," he said.

He once again urged the two ministries to take this matter seriously and not compromise when it involved the safety of the public.