ESSCOM DAN PENCULIKAN UNTUK TEBUSAN DI PANTAI TIMUR SABAH, MALAYSIA
ESSCOM AND KIDNAPPING FOR RANSOM (KFR) IN THE EAST COAST OF SABAH, MALAYSIA
Keywords:
Penculikan untuk tebusan, keselamatan, bukan-tradisional, ESSCOM, Sabah, kidnapping for ransom, security, non-traditional.Abstract
Abstrak Sabah merupakan sebuah negeri di Malaysia yang berhadapan dengan ancaman keselamatan terutama dari negara jiran. Salah satu ancaman tersebut adalah insiden jenayah rentas sempadan seperti penculikan bertujuan mendapatkan wang tebusan atau lebih dikenali sebagai Kidnap for Ransom (KFR). Kekerapan KFR terjadi menimbulkan kekhuatiran dalam kalangan masyarakat setempat mengenai keselamatan sehari-sehari. Bukan itu sahaja, ia turut membelenggu para pelancong yang datang melawat negeri ini khususnya di kawasan yang terlibat. Bagi menangani hal ini, kerajaan telah mengambil pendekatan yang proaktif dengan menubuhkan Eastern Sabah Security Command bagi mengawal jenayah KFR daripada semakin berleluasa. Hal ini menunjukkan bahawa salah satu sebab penubuhan ESSCOM adalah untuk menangani KFR. Berdasarkan kenyataan ini, makalah ini cuba untuk mengulas, membincangkan, dan menjelaskan jenayah KFR, faktor yang menyebabkan berlakunya KFR di perairan pantai timur Sabah (kebanjiran pendatang tanpa izin; kurangnya pengawasan anggota keselamatan di kawasan terbabit, jenayah rentas sempadan tradisional seperti penyeludupan barang bersubsidi dan lain-lain), keberkesanan ESSCOM dalam membendungnya. Selain itu, makalah ini berusaha mengenal pasti keterlibatan agensi-agensi lain, suntikan dana kerajaan, peralatan, kerjasama diplomatik, peranan masyarakat setempat dan lain-lain yang berkaitan dalam membendung jenayah KFR ini di kawasan ini.
Abstract
Sabah, a state in Malaysia, faces significant security threats, particularly from neighbouring countries. One major threat is cross-border crime, such as kidnappings for ransom (KFR). The frequent occurrence of KFR incidents has raised serious concerns among the local community about daily safety. Furthermore, it has caused anxiety among tourists visiting the state, especially in the affected areas. To tackle this issue, the government has taken a proactive approach by establishing the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to control and prevent the spread of KFR crimes. This indicates that one of the primary reasons for establishing ESSCOM is to combat KFR. This paper aims to review, discuss, and explain KFR crimes, the factors contributing to their frequent occurrence in the eastern coastal waters of Sabah (including the influx of illegal immigrants, insufficient security personnel monitoring in the affected areas, and traditional cross-border crimes such as smuggling of subsidized goods), and the effectiveness of ESSCOM in addressing these issues. Additionally, this paper seeks to identify the involvement of other agencies, government funding, equipment, diplomatic cooperation, the role of the local community, and other related aspects in combating KFR in this area.
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