Esscom DG: Increased security for Pulau Mabul area

KOTA KINABALU: Security officials are increasing patrols along Sabah's eastern borders as a precautionary measure following Tuesday's incident close to the tourist resort island of Mabul in Semporna.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek said that increased patrols were being carried out by security officials who are placed at various strategic areas along the 1,733km coastline from northern Kudat to southeastern Tawau district, that comprise 480 inhabited and uninhabited islands.

"Obviously we can't have men stationed everywhere, but we have stepped up patrols by the various security agencies to ensure that the sovereignty of the country is not breached," he said when contacted Thursday.

Mohammad said that people should not panic as rumours about the return of defeated Sulu intruders was a ''psy war" aimed at frightening and disrupting the harmony of the people.

He said that the armed intruders who held the local fishermen off Semporna were just "sea pirates" and not linked to the Sulu army or any of the militant groups based in a neighbouring country.

"It just the work of normal criminals, it was not a case of kidnapping for ransom," he said, adding that the police were investigating the fishermen's claims.

Meanwhile, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said police are in the process of recording statements from the local fishermen who were allegedly taken as "hostages", and also to determine the identity of the group.

"Police are still investigating the case as well as to determine if the alleged suspects are involved in terrorism activities," he said.

Elaborating on the incident which took place close to Pulau Kapalai between 6.30pm and 9pm on Aug 27, Hamza said initial police investigations showed that the suspects had robbed the fishermen of their money, handphones and other valuables.

"None of the victims were harmed by the suspects and were released after being robbed," he said, adding that the case is currently being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and Section 4 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penalties) 1971.

He said that almost every island, including mainland Semporna had security bases under Esscom.

A fisherman had claimed that about 20 gunmen in a speedboat armed with shotguns and pistols had ordered him to guide them towards Pulau Mabul.

They claimed the gunmen headed towards international waters and took another eight fisherman hostages before freeing all of them a few hours later.

BY MUGUNTAN VANAR

STAR