Hishammuddin's role is to help Najib to safeguard Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR: My new role as the Special Functions Minister is to help Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to safeguard Sabah, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
He said he will be carrying out his tasks on behalf of Najib who heads the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) committee.
"I will work closely with everyone involved to protect the security of Sabahans.
"Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman jointly chair the Esszone advisory board and I will work with them on improving the security of the state," he said.
Hishammuddin said to achieve this all Sabahans must be involved as everyone has a part to play by putting their security first.
He said one way of doing this is to get fishermen to be the eyes and ears of the authorities because they are the people who are out at sea most of the time.
He said they are also working with their Filipino and Indonesian counterparts to improve the security in eastern Sabah.
Hishammuddin cited the example of the closer cooperation with the Philippine army that led to the rescue of five Malaysian hostages.
"My duty as the Special Functions Minister was announced by the Prime Minister at the Cabinet meeting last week and all ministers gave their full support.
"My duty does not involve Sabah alone, I will have more duties that could be anything but now is not the time to announce those duties," he said after attending the monthly Defence Ministry assembly at Wisma Perwira.
At the same function, the ministry staff also made the Corruption-free Pledge.
Hishammuddin said by announcing his duties as Special Functions Minister he wanted to put an end to the speculation surrounding his appointment.
He said there are certain quarters out there that are trying to pit him against Dr Ahmad Zahid but this will not work as everyone, ministers and Umno Supreme Council members are closing ranks.
"We maintain a very close and tight working relationship and are focusing on our duties instead of paying heed to parties who have their own agenda and can never be satisfied with whatever answer that is given," he said.