32 armed intruders nabbed off Sabah waters

Quick action by the Malaysian security forces foiled another possible intrusion into Sabah by 32 unidentified armed assailants.

Security forces spotted a boat carrying 32 intruders who were armed with firearms, barong knives, axes and several documents before intercepting the boat about 12 nautical miles from Tambisan, Lahad Datu, early this morning.

The 32 unidentified intruders were detained and weapons such as fire arms, barong knives, axes and several documents, seized.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the men were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

"We have not identified their nationality yet," he said during a press conference at the Kota Kinabalu Police Headquarters, here, today.

Hamza reiterated that all the districts in Sabah were under control and rubbished allegations that another 100 armed intruders had entered the state.

"We have tightened security around Sabah waters and the security forces have the situation well under control," he said.

On Feb 12, a group of armed men from southern Philippines intruded Lahad Datu, declaring themselves as strong supporters of the Sulu Sultanate, but were later involved in a gun battle with the Malaysian security forces, causing much bloodshed.

Meanwhile, the Forensic team discovered another 15 bodies at Kampung Tanduo near Lahad Datu and made preparations to remove them from the Southern Philippines militant base this evening.

These were the bodies from a previous battle between the security forces and militant group which could not be removed earlier due to security reasons, he added.