Neo Classical Security & Development (Keselamatan & Pembangunan – KESBAN) in countering criminal insurgency in Eastern Sabah

Security and Development or KESBAN is a classical counterinsurgency framework that was employed as a tool in defeating the communist terrorist under the Communist Party of Malaya(CPM) banner. It was a population-centric approach to impede communist ideology and militant activities during the Second Malayan Emergency (1969-1989). It was a threeprong framework strategized to protect the people as well as to develop the nation. This study aimedto engage the classical KESBAN concept complement with some value-added elements strengthening the counterinsurgency framework as a neo-classical approach to confront criminal insurgency in Eastern Sabah perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The mainobjectives of the study are to determine the nature of criminality in Eastern Sabah and classifying it as insurgency and to examine the suitability of applying KESBAN concept againstthe criminal insurgency. The study will also explore the nexus between some counterinsurgency theories with the KESBAN concept. This study adopted qualitative approachresearch emphasizing textual analysis, with a case study approach using triangulation of primary and secondary data processes. However, primary data are used as confirmatory evidence for the secondary data. The finding of the study suggests that the neo-classical KESBAN concept is applicable in any insurgency situation. It also substantiates that the criminal ventures in Eastern Sabah are acts of insurgency and the neoclassical counterinsurgency (KESBAN) approach augmented with comprehensive strategies (intelligence, centralized command, efficiency of the security forces, and dissolution of insurgent networks) works to dissolve the criminal insurgency. The study also recommended future research studies on the “water village” resettlement program and the benefits of joint operations with the Philippines military against the ASG.