The government will take stern action against individuals, groups, and social media users who try to instigate Sabah and Sarawak to cesede from Malaysia.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the instigators will face

action under the Sedition Act 1948, the Security Offences Act (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and other related laws.

"We are very serious about the matter and anyone found trying to instigate  Sabah and Sarawak to secede from Malaysia will be punished," he told reporters after opening the Silam Umno division delegates meeting today.

Zahid also pledged that the government will defend the sovereignty of Sabah and safeguard peace in the state.

   

"As the home minister who is responsible for the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), I will not let anyone try to intrude and destroy the prevailing harmony in Sabah."

He said to enhance security in the east coast of Sabah, the ministry would build a General Operations Force (GOF) base in Kunak.

"The allocation for the GOF base is already available and work on the project will start soon," he added.

- Bernama