Lahad Datu - One of the towns where militants pass through. (Photo: Muhammad Fadhil)
Tawau: Another town which militants pass through en route to southern Philippines. (Photo: Amy Chew)
SANDAKAN, Sabah: A sense of unease has overcome parts of the east Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island after a kidnapping incident off the waters of the coastal town of Semporna last week (Sep 11).
Masked men armed with M16s, allegedly linked to the notorious kidnap-for-ransom Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) based in southern Philippines’ Mindanao island, snatched two Indonesian men from a fishing vessel.
It was the first such incident Sabah has seen in almost two years.
Now there are concerns that they could strike again in a bid to raise funds for terror activities in the southern Philippines.
That warning comes from an intelligence official and a former militant.
A combination of Islamic State’s (IS) call to arms in Mindanao and the Philippine military’s operations against militants are pushing ASG to seek funds through kidnapping. Likewise, poverty in southern Philippines makes for easy recruits by militants and kidnapping gangs.
“This incident (kidnapping) is something that is difficult to stop. However, it (situation) is under control,” Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, head of Special Branch counter-terrorism division, told Channel NewsAsia.
Special Branch is the intelligence arm of the Royal Malaysian Police and the lead agency in counter-terrorism operations.
“The kidnappings are still occurring because these groups (ASG) are pressured to seek funds to continue with their (militant) activities as Filipino authorities are conducting clearance operations against militants,” Ayob added.
“Whatever happens in Philippines will impact on Sabah. Sabah is a very important border for the whole of Malaysia and the Sulu sea,” said Hazani.
ABU SAYYAF SEEKING FUNDS FOR TERROR ACTIVITIES: FORMER MILITANT
“ASG and pro-Islamic State groups (in southern Philippines) need money for their daily needs, mobilisation from one place to another, procurement of communication equipment and weapons,” Abdullah Sandakan, a former member of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group that has ties with Abu Sayyaf, told Channel NewsAsia.
ASG pledged allegiance to IS in 2014.
“The recent kidnapping … to get money to fund small acts of terrorism ... moving in the direction for something similar like Marawi,” said Abdullah.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/kidnappers-expected-to-strike-again-in-sabah-as-militants-seek-10737804
Masked men armed with M16s, allegedly linked to the notorious kidnap-for-ransom Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) based in southern Philippines’ Mindanao island, snatched two Indonesian men from a fishing vessel.
It was the first such incident Sabah has seen in almost two years.
Now there are concerns that they could strike again in a bid to raise funds for terror activities in the southern Philippines.
That warning comes from an intelligence official and a former militant.
A combination of Islamic State’s (IS) call to arms in Mindanao and the Philippine military’s operations against militants are pushing ASG to seek funds through kidnapping. Likewise, poverty in southern Philippines makes for easy recruits by militants and kidnapping gangs.
Special Branch is the intelligence arm of the Royal Malaysian Police and the lead agency in counter-terrorism operations.
“The kidnappings are still occurring because these groups (ASG) are pressured to seek funds to continue with their (militant) activities as Filipino authorities are conducting clearance operations against militants,” Ayob added.
READ: Behind Malaysia's influx of foreign terrorists
According to Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) chief Hazani Ghazali, events in Philippines have a significant impact on Sabah.“Whatever happens in Philippines will impact on Sabah. Sabah is a very important border for the whole of Malaysia and the Sulu sea,” said Hazani.
ABU SAYYAF SEEKING FUNDS FOR TERROR ACTIVITIES: FORMER MILITANT
“ASG and pro-Islamic State groups (in southern Philippines) need money for their daily needs, mobilisation from one place to another, procurement of communication equipment and weapons,” Abdullah Sandakan, a former member of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group that has ties with Abu Sayyaf, told Channel NewsAsia.
ASG pledged allegiance to IS in 2014.
“The recent kidnapping … to get money to fund small acts of terrorism ... moving in the direction for something similar like Marawi,” said Abdullah.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/kidnappers-expected-to-strike-again-in-sabah-as-militants-seek-10737804
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