Five missing Malaysians may be taken to southern Philippines - DIGP

The five Malaysians who went missing in the Dent Haven waters of Lahad Datu, Sabah on Monday are believed to have been abducted and taken to the southern Philippines.

However, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said, police are still awaiting confirmation about the matter from the authorities there.

He also believes it is related to the same group which was behind the two recent abductions in Sabah waters.

"That's the information we have received.

"What we have to do now is to get a confirmation and wait for the abductors to act. They may contact the family members of the hostages," he told a press conference in Bukit Aman today.

The police also, he said, have not received any calls or demands from the kidnappers.

It was reported that an empty tugboat with its engine still running was found abandoned on Monday in the waters of Dent Haven, Tambisan, Lahad Datu and the authorities are investigating the fate of the five crew who are all Malaysians.

The five have been identified as skipper Abd Rahim Summas, 62, from Kampung Tanjung Batu, Tawau; Tayudin Anjut, 45, from Kampung Tanjung Batu Darat, Tawau; Mohd Ridzuan Ismail, 32, from Felda Jengka 7, Bandar Jengka, Pahang; Fandy Bakran, 26, from Kampung Pukat, Tawau, and Mohamad Jumadil Rahim, 23, from Batu 2 Jalan Apas, Tawau.