KOTA KINABALU: The appointment of a senior police officer to further strengthen the Eastern Sabah Security Command was greeted with all round approval from state leaders here.

Chief minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the new Esscom Commander Deputy Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun could improve efficiency in coordinating all the agencies deployed within the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone.

"With his vast experience and capability in security aspects, his appointment was the right step," he said adding the state government fully support the restructuring of Esscom announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak two days ago.

Abdul Rashid, 57, who is the Esscom Operations director will take over as the Commander on July 15. He had also served as the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order deputy director and Chief Assistant director of Special Operations among others.

State Barisan Nasional secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said Abdul Rashid could help piece together the lack of coordination among the various security and enforcement agencies under Esscom.

"I am not saying Esscom has failed but we must learn from our weaknesses and rectify this quickly, which I believe the restructuring announced by the Prime Minister is the right move," Rahman said when met in Kuching.

"We need the involvement and active participation from the security forces," he said and pointed out the kidnappings are hitting the tourism industry and other investments as many stakeholders are feeling the pinch.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the image of Sabah as a peaceful and safe place needs to be restored to revive the tourism industry.

"We have been badly hit in the last few months and this was the right move by the government."

Meanwhile Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation vice-xchairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye the restructuring process would strengthen and restore public confidence in the security of Sabah’s east coast.

“With a clear chain of command being beefed up, it will help to further enhance security in the region and strengthen the respective law enforcement agencies to take effective measures to ensure the east coast of Sabah is free from intrusion and crime,” Lee said.

The recent intrusions and cases of kidnapping in the east coast of Sabah have severely affected public confidence towards safety and security, Lee said.

"With the series of new measures to be undertaken, it will certainly help to address the security issues which are very much in the public mind."

Resource : NST