Association wants their members to be included in ‘protection list’, following kidnapping of three of their members on Saturday
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Fisheries and Fishing Boat Joint Association have asked Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) to include fishermen in their ‘protection list’, following the many kidnapping cases involving the group.
Its president, Arsani Arsat said with such a move, ESSCom could probably manage to combat kidnapping cases in Malaysian waters, particularly in the Eastern Sabah Security Zones which covered the districts of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.
“Fishermen have become a target for kidnappers. If they (ESSCom) protect the fishermen, they can catch the kidnappers…because kidnappers have frequently targetted their victims who are obviously not protected,” he told Bernama here yesterday.
Arsani also called on ESSCom to step up patrols at least twice in 24 hours, and especially at night.
Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believed the kidnapping incident involving three fishing boat crew members at Pom Pom Island in Semporna Saturday night was a case of ‘kidnap for ransom’.
Zahid said the group involved in the kidnapping incident was believed to be based in the Philippines Islands situated close to Malaysia.
“Though the area is under surveillance, they move about below the detection of the radar. I have contacted ESScom and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to monitor the entire 1,700km distance of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone),” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking to reporters after opening the Parti Makkal Sakti Malaysia’s eighth Annual General Meeting yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said the three crew members were not Malaysians but held permanent resident status.
“However, the authorities will continue to work with the Philippines authorities and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein had already discussed the matter with his counterpart and I have spoken to my counterpart while Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has also spoken to his counterpart,” he said.
ESScom yesterday confirmed that three fishermen from a fishing boat were kidnapped by a group at the Pom Pom Island in Semporna Saturday night.
ESSCom commissioner Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid when contacted said a report was received at 1.59am.
Meanwhile, the police have confirmed that the three abducted men are Filipinos with valid IMM13 documents and census letters from the Special Task Force Unit.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said Loloi Alpin, 30; Sami, in his 30s; and Masurin, in his 50s, were taken by a group of seven heavily-armed men during a fishing trip with 13 other crew members about 10.40pm.
“During the incident, the seven masked abductors, carrying pistols and high-powered M-16 rifles approached the ship on a speed boat and went onboard.
“They instructed all crew members to lie on the floor…one of the abductors waited on the speed boat.
“The abductors later ransacked the vessel before escaping with suitcases, mobile phones and wallets belonging to the fishermen,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Abdul Rashid said initial investigations revealed the fishing boat made the trip about 4pm on Saturday. — Bernama