Sabah: Safety zone to calm investors

Sulu sabahIn an effort to restore investor and business confidence in Sabah after the Royal Army of Sulu intrusion, Malaysia has set up the so-called Eastern Sabah Safety Zone, or Esszone, and has allocated funds worth $65 million to beef up security measures and kick off key programmes aimed at boosting edu­cation and rural devel­opment.

Esszone was set up in mid-March to protect the area from further intrusions in the wake of an offensive launched by Philippines-based rebels. Officials in Sabah said they were prepar­ing to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles, attack helicopters and speedboats. Once fully imple­mented, Esszone is expected to send out a message of reassur­ance to investors and tourists.

“Setting up the Esszone will definitely boost the security level in east Sabah in the best possible manner,” Chief Minister Musa Aman told local media in March.

Esszone now sees a higher military and police presence in 10 affected districts – Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau.

Is also aims to protect the 24 development projects worth nearly 320 million that are currently under construction as part of the Sabah Development Corridor initiative, led by the $80 million Palm Oil Industrial Cluster in Sandakan.

Furthermore, under the Government Transforma­tion Programme (GTP), 1,900 kilometer of roads are set to be built throughout Sabah and Sarawak. Public transport is earmarked for an overhaul, and pre-school edu­cation will also receive a boost.

Sabah has received about $37 billion in investment since an investment incentive initiative was launched in 2008.  However, there were fears that investment levels could fall follow­ing February’s incursion, which already happened in the Semporna district.

 



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In an effort to restore investor and business confidence in Sabah after the Royal Army of Sulu intrusion, Malaysia has set up the so-called Eastern Sabah Safety Zone, or Esszone, and has allocated funds worth $65 million to beef up security measures and kick off key programmes aimed at boosting edu­cation and rural devel­opment. Esszone was set up in mid-March to protect the area from further intrusions in the wake of an offensive launched by Philippines-based rebels. Officials in Sabah said they were prepar­ing to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles, attack helicopters and speedboats. Once fully imple­mented, Esszone is expected to...

Sulu sabahIn an effort to restore investor and business confidence in Sabah after the Royal Army of Sulu intrusion, Malaysia has set up the so-called Eastern Sabah Safety Zone, or Esszone, and has allocated funds worth $65 million to beef up security measures and kick off key programmes aimed at boosting edu­cation and rural devel­opment.

Esszone was set up in mid-March to protect the area from further intrusions in the wake of an offensive launched by Philippines-based rebels. Officials in Sabah said they were prepar­ing to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles, attack helicopters and speedboats. Once fully imple­mented, Esszone is expected to send out a message of reassur­ance to investors and tourists.

“Setting up the Esszone will definitely boost the security level in east Sabah in the best possible manner,” Chief Minister Musa Aman told local media in March.

Esszone now sees a higher military and police presence in 10 affected districts – Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak and Tawau.

Is also aims to protect the 24 development projects worth nearly 320 million that are currently under construction as part of the Sabah Development Corridor initiative, led by the $80 million Palm Oil Industrial Cluster in Sandakan.

Furthermore, under the Government Transforma­tion Programme (GTP), 1,900 kilometer of roads are set to be built throughout Sabah and Sarawak. Public transport is earmarked for an overhaul, and pre-school edu­cation will also receive a boost.

Sabah has received about $37 billion in investment since an investment incentive initiative was launched in 2008.  However, there were fears that investment levels could fall follow­ing February’s incursion, which already happened in the Semporna district.

 



Support ASEAN news

Investvine has been a consistent voice in ASEAN news for more than a decade. From breaking news to exclusive interviews with key ASEAN leaders, we have brought you factual and engaging reports – the stories that matter, free of charge.

Like many news organisations, we are striving to survive in an age of reduced advertising and biased journalism. Our mission is to rise above today’s challenges and chart tomorrow’s world with clear, dependable reporting.

Support us now with a donation of your choosing. Your contribution will help us shine a light on important ASEAN stories, reach more people and lift the manifold voices of this dynamic, influential region.

 

 

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