By JAMES LEONG
SANDAKAN: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) uncovered a wide range of illegal activities through an integrated operation conducted around Sandakan on July 29 and 30, with total enforcement action, seizures, compounds and losses estimated RM433,077.
The multi-agency enforcement blitz, conducted on July 29 and 30, mobilised 263 personnel who targeted squatter settlements along Jalan Istana, Kampung Tabah Baru, Kampung Karamunting, and Sandakan’s city centre.
A total of 21 Filipinos and four Indonesians were detained for failing to produce valid travel documents. All were handed over to the Immigration Department for further action under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
ESSCOM Commander Datuk Victor B Sanjos commended the operation’s success, stating: “This integrated operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to securing the Eastern Sabah Security Zone. The high detection rate proves that intelligence-driven enforcement, combined with multi-agency cooperation, delivers tangible results in tackling not just cross-border crimes, but also economic offenses that directly impact government revenue and community safety.”
The operation uncovered a web of illegal activities spanning multiple agencies:
The Customs Department seized contraband cigarettes valued at RM20,000 under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967.
Sabah Electricity confiscated 300 kilogrammes of illegal electrical cables worth RM15,000, while estimating annual revenue losses from unauthorised connections at RM300,000. Officials warned that such illegal hookups pose serious fire and electrocution risks to local residents.
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) seized 1,105 kilogrammes of subsidised cooking oil valued at RM2,762 under Section 21 of the Supply Control Act 1961, along with a vehicle worth RM20,049, bringing the total seizure value to RM22,811.
Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) confiscated various unlicensed goods worth RM6,500 and issued a compound of RM300 under the Trades Licensing Ordinance (Sabah Cap. 144).
The District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division detained two men and seized 0.07 grammes of suspected methamphetamine, with investigations proceeding under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The Labour Department (JTK) issued 20 compound investigation papers under Section 58 of the Labour Ordinance (Sabah Cap 67), along with nine notices for various offences, and ordered immediate settlement of minimum wage arrears totalling RM116 under the Minimum Wages Order 2024. Labour-related enforcement amounted to RM60,116.
The State Water Department issued two notices for illegal water connections under Section 50 of the Sabah Water Supply Enactment 2003, imposing compound fines of RM600.
The State Wildlife Department successfully seized 1,550 turtle eggs valued at RM7,750, preventing them from entering the black market and bolstering conservation efforts for protected marine species.
ESSCOM stated the operation is part of the Madani Government’s ongoing efforts through Op SANGGAH to strengthen existing security frameworks under PDRM, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), and MMEA, while assisting federal and state enforcement agencies in ensuring legal compliance across the ESS Zone.
The operation’s high detection rate underscores that focused intelligence-driven enforcement continues to yield results—tackling cross-border crimes, undocumented migrants, smuggling, subsidy abuse, illegal utility connections, labour violations, and natural resource exploitation that threaten government revenue, local job opportunities, and community safety.
Sabah Electricity workers carrying illegal electrical cables dismantled during the ESSCOM coordinated operation in Sandakan.
