Evaluating the surge of kidnapping for ransom (KFR): An exploratory study in Eastern Sabah / Al Amin Mukammal Abdul Razak

Kidnapping for Ransom (KFR) in Eastern Sabah is a phenomenon conducted by the non-state actors mostly from the southern Philippines who came into eastern Sabah territory to conduct kidnapping for the sake of ransom payments in order to fund their sustainability. Sixteen cases of kidnapping was recorded since 2000 - 2016. This research has divided the cases into three trends which is before ESSCOM establishment from 2000 until 2012, after ESSCOM establishment from 2013-2015, and for the year of 2016 itself. The objective of this research is to identify the factors encouraging KFR in east coast of Sabah and to identify challenges face by ESSCOM as an organization given the responsibility to tackle the KFR phenomenon. The primary data was collected using open ended questions through interviews with four key informants. This research uses the Rational Choice Theory in order to explain the KFR incidents as it believes that the perpetrators of KFR are rational being. The outcome of this research has proven that the surge of KFR in eastern Sabah is due to the ransom payment which have been made to the perpetrators and because of this ransom payment, the perpetrators keep on coming to perform kidnapping in eastern Sabah territory. ESSCOM as an organization which is responsible to combat KFR and other crime and issues especially regarding the illegal immigrant and smuggling activities is not regarded as a failed organizations.