After the Communist Clandestine Organisation (CCO) was disbanded in the early 70's following the success of Operation Sri Aman, the people of Sarawak had not known of another security threat to the state...that is, until last week.

Over the past three decades, Sarawakians had enjoyed peace, stability and tranquillity. A security threat of any sort was furthest from their minds. The Bali bomb blasts last Saturday changed all that.

State Secretary Abdul Aziz Husain warned today that there was now a security threat to the state it came from illegal immigrants who sneaked back in across the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

Following the Bali carnage, the Sarawak government has asked the police and other authorities to step up security at tourist spots and entry and exit points in the state as a precautionary measure.

Abdul Aziz was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying that resort operators should also be vigilant in the wake of last weekend's bomb blasts in Bali.

Security strengthened

He said the government had also strengthened security at critical areas like reservoirs and power stations.

"The state, which is relatively more stable with political stability, does have its share of security threats," he told reporters.

As security was a federal matter, the state would abide by any security advisory on further measures that needed to be taken, he said.

"Sarawak is safe for tourists. But everybody needs to be vigilant as anything can happen, like the bomb blasts in Bali," he said.

The state secretary added that security personnel and the people should always be on the alert.

It is evident that peaceful Sarawak now has to face a new security threat.