Fresh explosions reported as Malaysian jets sighted heading to Lahad Datu

From InterAksyon (Mar 8): Fresh explosions reported as Malaysian jets sighted heading to Lahad Datu

Nearby villagers claimed they heard several new explosions after at least two fighter jets were seen heading towards the Ops Daulat operation zone in Lahad Datu.
"We saw three jet fighters flying towards the Kampung Tanduo area and then we heard around eight explosions at around 7.30am," said Bikail Maheli Badal (right), 56 who was in Embada Budi.

This comes after security forces yesterday expanded their operations, which began on Tuesday, into Tanjung Labian from the initial areas of Kampung Tanduo and Tanjung Batu.

Another villager here, Ali Johan, 32 said he heard at least two explosions.

"I was inside boiling water when I heard the loud explosions," he said.

Embada Budi is about 10km from away from Tanjung Labian by road but the direct distance is less than that.

However, police manning an outpost by the road entrance into Tanjung Labian claimed they had not heard anything.

Yesterday, armed forces chief Zulkefeli Mohd Zin explained that the air strikes were not aimed at killing the enemies but was to clear an area so security forces can move in safely.

'Sufficient food'

Meanwhile, the displaced villagers in Embada Budi said they are now receiving an abundance of food after initial complaints that there wasn't enough.

"Initially there were problems but now we are getting packed food delivered to us on a daily basis, twice a day.

"Even though there are more than 650 of us placed here, there were still leftovers," said Bikail, who fled from Tanjung Labian.

Aside the packed food consisting of rice, fish and vegetables delivered at noon and 7pm daily, Bikail say they have also received enough cooking supplies for breakfast.

The food were distributed by the Malaysian Civil Defence Department.

Meanwhile, at Desa Kencana and surrounding villages near the media centre at Felda Residence Sahabat, water supply remains unstable.

Water supply resumed at noon yesterday at the villages, but it was turned off again at night until this morning.

The unstable water supply is due to shorter operating hours as the main water facility is within the red zone and workers are worried for their safety to work into the late night.

The water disruption, which began yesterday, has also taken a toll at the media centre as its water tanks have been depleted.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/56627/fresh-explosions-reported-as-malaysian-jets-sighted-heading-to-lahad-datu