Stop giving Sabah ‘patchwork’ solutions
The diesel crisis in Sabah has exposed the ineffectiveness of Sabah’s security blanket along the state’s eastern corridor, claims a local assemblyman.
(FMT) – “If diesel can escape detection, one fears for the safety of Sabahans when it comes to illegals coming and going into Sabah,” said state assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan.
The smuggling of diesel that has led to a shortage in Sabah has exposed the ineffectiveness and shortcomings of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE).
“Theoretically, there should be no smuggling (of diesel) if the ESSZONE patrolling is effective.
“If diesel can escape detection, one fears for the safety of Sabahans when it comes to illegals coming and going into Sabah,” said state assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan.
Kitingan contended that if the diesel shortage is due to rising demand, then this should have been projected and adequate supplies provided for.
“This shortage is not new. It’s a frequent occurrence and should have been projected and provided for,” he said.
He equated the ongoing acute diesel shortage in Sabah and strategy to overcome it as a perfect example of the “piece-meal, patch-work policies” in existence in the country which are put in place by those “who don’t understand” the problem.
“While the just announced request for an additional eight million litres diesel quota may help clear the queues at petrol stations, it does not resolve the long term problem,” he said.
