Khalid being interviewed by the media during his working visit to the General Operations Force (GOF) headquarters in Kinarut yesterday, as Ramli (right) looks on.
KOTA KINABALU: The police are still waiting for information from their Philippine counterparts on the missing and alleged kidnapping of three Indonesians from their boat at Taganak, Philippines on Thursday.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said neither the RMP nor the Philippine authority had received any words from the missing crewmen.
“We have not received any information, if they were kidnapped, and we are still waiting for clarification from our counterparts.
“All we know is that the Philippine authority found an abandoned boat at Taganak waters…so we are still waiting for further information,” he said during his working visit to the General Operations Force (GOF) headquarters in Kinarut yesterday.
Also present was Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din.
On Jan 19, ESSCom received a report of an empty vessel in the waters between Baguan and Taganak islands off the Philippines at about 3.15pm.
About 6.03pm, another report was made by the boat owner about his three missing crewmen.
The three missing crewmen, all Indonesians, have been identified as Hamdan Salim, 29, Subandi Sattu, 47, and Sudaling Samandung, 26.
When asked about the latest status of the case, Khalid said neither the Malaysian authority nor the Philippine authority had received any communication from the missing crewmen.
“We failed to make any contact with the three crewmen.
“I was also informed by our counterparts that nothing missing or taken from the boat and all equipment were still intact in the boat,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khalid once again reminded boat owners and fishermen not to cross the Malaysian borders to avoid unwanted incident.
“We have been advising them not to cross our border for fear of kidnapping or unwanted criminal activity.
“There are laws to prevent fishermen from crossing or encroaching into other countries without permission and the authorities have the right to take legal action.
“The operators know this but they still ignore our advice,” said Khalid, adding that the police would have dialogues and awareness programs with boat operators.