Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin
After 28 days of its launch, Ops Daulat that started with offensive operations and followed by mopping-up and search operations, has entered into the third or stabilisation stage.
Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the third stage, which began yesterday, focused on restoring public confidence on the security situation and facilitating the people's return to their homes.
"Soldiers will be stationed in the affected villages to enable the residents to go about their daily routine without fear.
"The armed forces' task in the third stage is to be with the local community and help them get their lives back," he told a news conference in Felda Sahabat16 near here, today.
"The armed forces' task in the third stage is to be with the local community and help them get their lives back," he told a news conference in Felda Sahabat16 near here, today.
Zulkifeli said joint patrols between the army and the police with the use of armoured vehicles would also be conducted in the villages.
He said with the closure of all four evacuation centres, namely Fajar Harapan, Gemala Puri, Cenderawasih and Embara Budi, the evacuees were allowed toreturn home.
Zulkifeli said Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Fajar Harapan and SK Tanjung Labian,which had been closed since the intrusion, would be opened on Monday following a discussion with Director-General of Education Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud who visited SK Fajar Harapan this morning.
"Parents and pupils are encouraged to help clean up the schools before they are reopen on Monday," he said.
On the intensity of Ops Daulat, he said although the operations were beingscaled down, the military strength would be maintained with the focus shifted to assisting the implementation of the newly set up East Sabah Security Zone(ESSZONE).
"Efforts to trace the remnants of the terrorists who are now less than 10 are continuing through intelligence for we believe they are no longer holed up in the Ops Daulat area," he added.
