Semporna:
Police here released photos of two of three suspects believed linked to the
Kidnap-for-Ransom (KFR) group which forced security forces to fire a warning
shot near Pulau Maiga, off Semporna, at 5.30pm on Thursday.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaludin Abdul Rahman said
the highly wanted person identified as Nikson Muktadil in his 30s, and his
brother, Badong Muktadil @ Adzmil Muktadil in his 40s, from Pondohan, Balitang
Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi Philippines - were both linked to several KFR cases in
Semporna.
He said Nikson who is involved in a KFR group in Pondohon,
Tawi-Tawi, is also believed involved in the kidnapping case in Singamata Resort
on April 2 this year and reportedly stayed in Kg Bangau-Bangau and Balitag Island
in Semporna before fleeing to Philippines
Badong who is connected with a KFR group in Pondohon was
also reported to have 30 to 40 followers and four boats of 40 and 70
horsepower.
Badong is suspected involved in four kidnapping cases in
Semporna and Lahad Datu, namely in Pom-Pom Resort (Nov. 15, 2013), Singamata
Resort (April 2, 2014), Wonderful Terrace Sdn Bhd in Lahad Datu and the recent
incident at Mabul Water Bungalow Resort in Mabul on July 12, 2014.
Police are still identifying the third suspect also believed
to be Filipino.
Asked if the suspects were linked to militants in Southern Philippines , Jalaluddin said there are
possibilities because based on information there are a lot of terrorist groups
involved in the KFR.
"We urge the public to assist police in hunting the
three suspects by providing information on their whereabouts," he told a
press conference at the Semporna Marine Police Base, Saturday.
Also present were Sabah Region Marine Police Commander ACP
Mohammad Madun and Semporna Police Chief Superintendent Mazlan Lazim.
Jalaluddin warned the public not to hide or protect or be in
alliance with the wanted suspects as it is an offence. "Once we protect
criminals, we are also considered as criminals É please alert our security
enforcement or the district police chief should you come across any
information," he stressed.
On another development, Jalaludin told reporters that a
joint operation between police and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom),
was conducted at three islands - Gaya , Maiga and
Tatangan Island
He said 103 illegals were rounded up during the
"cleaning operation", adding that after the warning shot incident,
six marine boats were mobilised to the three islands to track down the
suspects.
On the 5.30pm warning shot incident, Jalaluddin said, it
happened in the curfew waters when a marine patrol boat came across the three
men who were masked and with weapons on a white and blue boat.
"Our men fired a warning shot when the trio attempted
'to do something' resulting in a boat chase where the suspects escaped by going
into shallow waters," he added.
In a related development, he hoped the curfew order strategy
could obstruct any form of criminal activity, especially kidnapping, and it was
proven with no recent cases so far in August after the April, May, June and
July kidnapping cases.
He said police even received many requests from foreign
tourists for the curfew to be extended.
Jalaluddin also urged fishermen affected by the curfew to
apply for a permit and not to make the curfew a reason to hike the price of
fish.
"Curfew is imposed for only 10 hours and they have 14
hours to fish," he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC)
President Datuk Seri Panglima Gan Sau Wah expressed regret over misleading
reports on the warning shot which sparked widespread panic in the East Coast.
Gan who is also the Semporna Chinese Chambers of Commerce
President said: "As far as I know no gun battle occurred but the media
(not Daily Express) reported it as if an intense shooting had taken
place," he said, adding that this caused panic among the people, business
sectors as well as foreign investors.
He received many phone calls from friends and business
acquaintances here and abroad after the news hit the streets through printed
and electronic media with many expressing their concern and some even
withdrawing their intention to invest here for the time being.
"The media has a social obligation to society and must
adhere to it, such report does not benefit us but is more burdensome to our
livelihood, especially those living in Lahad Datu, Kunak and Semporna, where
business is badly affected," he said.
Gan believed there must be some sort of control when dealing
with highly sensitive issues and that the head of security forces must take
into consideration the negative impact delivered to people before making any
statement to the media.
"I hope security leaders would be more cautious when
confronted by the media in future, as this would avoid unnecessary burden to
the people and the business sectors as well as the State Government," he
said.
Gan also hoped the media would do the same by taking into
account the impact on the people before deciding to report and publish any
article related to highly sensitive issues.
"We set up a new East Coast Security Unit headed by the
Lahad Datu Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Mok Tian Sang who is expected
to chair the first meeting early next month and discuss issues related to
security in the East Coast as well as how we can contribute in achieving a
common goal," he said.
He said over the years many Chinese businessmen and Chinese
tourists had been the victims of kidnapping by foreign armed criminals.
"As the organisation representing the Chinese community
in the State, SUCCC feels that it is our obligation to protect our members and
Chinese business communities, as such this Unit was formed to play our role to
assist the government to ensure Chinese business community adhere to the
security guideline, assisting security forces in maintaining better security
level and provide constructive suggestion to the government on security
issues," he explained.
The members of the Unit comprise six Chinese Chambers of
Commerce (CCC) in the Esszone area, Semporna CCC Secretary Gan Shi Wah is the
Deputy Chairman of the Unit, Kunak CCC President Pong Kim Wai appointed as the
Secretary of the Unit, while its committee members comprised of Tawau CCC
President Lo Su Fui, Sandakan CCC President Chia Hock Ak and Kudat CCC
President Pak Chee Eng.
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=90859
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