The capability of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) in defending the country's security should not be underestimated by any party, said Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee.

The Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker said this was because Esscom had shown so much success especially in foiling kidnapping attempts or plans by cross-border criminals from neighbouring countries, since it was set up after the Tanduo incident in March 2013.

"Don’t be like the opposition which belittles the capability of the security forces in tackling security issues but give full support for their determination in preserving the security of the state," he said when launching the people with Esscom programme at Muara Beluran in Beluran last night.

Also present were Esscom commander Hazani Ghazali, its chief executive officer Noor Alam Khan and Beluran assistant district officer Abdul Rahman Talipuddin.

Ronald said the people should not just leave the responsibility of tackling security problems to the security forces but jointly safeguard the peace and stability in the area covering 1,700km from Tawau to Kudat.

Earlier, Hazani in his speech said the younger generation needed to defend the security of the state in order to make the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) plan a success.

- Bernama