KOTA KINABALU: Police are increasing their level of security along the state’s water borders to prevent cross-border criminal activities, including those seeking refuge, following conflicts in a neighboring country.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said the security level in Sabah waters, especially along the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), had been tightened in an effort to prevent any eventuality.
“Following the event in the Philippines, we have tightened and increased our security along the water borders to prevent any cross border criminal activities as well as to prevent criminals who are planning to take refuge in our country.
“But as for I know I can assure you that our waters are safe,” he said yesterday when asked to comment on allegations that several attempts were being made by cross-border criminals to enter Sabah to seek refuge following continuous operation by the Philippine security forces against Abu Sayyaf militants in the country.
Meanwhile, Ramli said the remaining three Malaysian hostages who were released by their captors on Monday, were expected to arrive soon.
He said Jumadil Rahim, 24, Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 33, and Fandy Bakran, 27, would be taken to Kuala Lumpur for documentation purposes before being reunited with their families.
“We are not sure when they will arrive from the Philippines but I can assure you that it will be soon,” he told reporters after the Crime Prevention and Community Safety program for the police volunteer reserve at the state police headquarters in Kepayan yesterday.
The event was officiated by Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Rusli Ahmad.
Two other Malaysian seamen, Tayudin Anjut, 45, and Abdul Rahim Summas, 62, were found adrift on board a boat off the southern Philippines on March 23.
They were among the five boat crew members of a tugboat being kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf militants along the waters of Dent Havent, Lahad Datu in July last year.