He said the seizures resulted from ESSCom-coordinated land and sea operations.

A total of 1,401,593 inspections were carried out on individuals, vehicles and boats. These led to 1,003 arrests for various offences.

“The important element in the success of security operations last year was the good cooperation between the security team and the community in the ESSZone,” he told a gathering held in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of ESSCom here today.

Hamzah said ESSCom continued to excel in defending the sovereignty of the east coast region of Sabah and tackling various cross-border crimes, including kidnapping for ransom.

“The last kidnapping case involving ransom and the Abu Sayyaf group occurred in the ESSZone on Jan 15, 2020.

“This is one of the reasons for the continuous strict security protection, including the implementation of curfews in the waters of seven districts in the ESSZone (Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Beluran, Kinabatangan and Sandakan),” he said.

Apart from that, he said the government has done its best to increase security protection in the ESSZone by building and upgrading security posts over the past 10 years.

Hamzah said Sabah still faced security threats from militant groups, including the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which remain active in a neighbouring country.

“Security forces in that country continue to apply pressure on these groups. This may have a spillover effect that can threaten the ESSZone.

“That’s why I urge all ESSCom personnel to not let their guard down and ensure the safety of the people.”

He said no Malaysian wanted a repeat of the incursion in Kampung Tanduo that happened 10 years ago. Ten security personnel and 68 insurgents were killed during the incursion by about 100 Sulu terrorists from southern Philippines.