Report: Anti-Kiram forces ops in Sabah officially ends

After more than three months, the Malaysian government's offensive operations to flush out followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III from Lahad Datu in Sabah formally ended on Saturday.

 

This was after Malaysia's National Security Council placed to the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) full responsibility of securing the area, according to a report on Malaysia's The Star Online. 

 

State security council chairman Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said ESSCOM is now responsible for security arrangements under the Ops Daulat area.

 

Last March, Malaysian forces started offensive operations to flush out Kiram's followers following deadly clashes there.

 

Kiram's followers had engaged Malaysian forces in a three-week standoff that ended in deadly clashes on March 1 and 2.

 

On Saturday, The Star Online quoted Musa as saying ESSCOM has adopted a new operational codename: Ops Sanggah.

 

Musa added ESSCOM will now spearhead all operations from northern Kudat to southeastern Tawau to ensure Sabah's eastern sea borders are safe from threats.

 

Among those present at a parade mounted by 16 officers and 415 security personnel at the Felda Sahabat 16 football field were Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim. — VC, GMA News